The appeal came following the sanction against Channels TV by NBC after a petition was written against the news channel by a member of the All Progressives Party (APC)‘s Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC) spokesperson for airing an interview with the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Datti Baba Ahmed, that was allegedly inciting.
The Commission’s Project Coordinator, Hilary Ogbonna, noted that freedom of the press is an essential feature of democracy and actions that may be construed as gagging must be avoided. He said the speed at which sanctions were imposed on Channels TV station just five days after a complaint was made through a petition against it was wrong, adding that such quick action was capable of sending the wrong signal to the public and international community that a thorough investigation was not carried out.
He further advised sister government agencies to promote human rights in the country rather than impede the rights of citizens. Due to the crucial roles played by the media, he said sanctions should be the last resort when it concerns the sector.
The NHRC boss thanked the media, the Ford Foundation, UN bodies, and other partners for the successes recorded in tracking those undermining the just concluded elections. He called on Nigerians and others living in the country to continue to maintain peace as that is the only way to engender the country's development.