The Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA)’s legal suit is set to begin on Friday, November 29th, 2024, before the Federal High Court Abuja against Network Arewa24 Ltd., operators of the Arewa24 TV channel, as well as seven other parties, alleging unlawful operations, monopolistic practices, and cultural exploitation.
Other defendants in the suit include: the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, (ARCON), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council, MultiChoice Nigeria, StarTimes Nigeria amongst others.
According to an issued statement yesterday in Abuja, Chairman of the NBMOA Board of Trustees, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, said, “This matter, which challenges the licensing and operational status of the defendants, underscores the NBMOA’s commitment to lawful broadcasting standards, NBC Code, ARCON regulatory and Federal Government, Local Content Policy compliance within the host communities in Nigeria.
The suit, which is scheduled for a hearing before Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), addresses concerns that unlicensed broadcasting disrupts the legal and competitive landscape, impacting both media owners and audiences.
The NBMOA’s objective is to uphold the rule of law and ensure a fair, regulated media environment, in line with established Nigeriannbroadcasting Code,standards.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the Chairman of the NBMOA Board of Trustees, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan highlighted concerns that the unlicensed operations of the defendants pose a threat to Nigeria’s established legal and competitive media landscape, impacting media owners and audiences nationwide.
He stated, “Our objective is to ensure a fair, regulated media environment in line with established broadcasting standards, while maintaining a commitment to the rule of law”.
The NBMOA affirmed its commitment to lawful broadcasting standards and noted that it would refrain from further public comments until the legal proceedings are concluded to respect the judicial process.
Indigenous Broadcast Media Stakeholders in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry are closely watching the case, as its outcome could have significant implications for Broadcast media Advertising Standards and licensing across the country.
