NBC asked to lift ban off Falz’s “This is Nigeria” and other songs

Recall that the National Broadcasting Commission fined a radio station in Jos for playing Falz’s “This is Nigeria” song.

SERAP has come out to say that the action by the NBC “amounts to illegal restrictions on media freedom, the right to freedom of opinion and expression and free information and ideas.” SERAP also stated that NBC should strive towards promoting diversified views instead of stifling creativity.

SERAP in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale, reads:

“Concern about the censorship of the media and songs deemed ‘vulgar and indecent’ by the NBC, as such action risks undermining legitimate expression and independent voices. The NBC must immediately lift the ban on the radio station and rescind the arbitrary fine.

“The right to freedom of expression, information and ideas is applicable not only to comfortable, inoffensive or politically correct opinions but also to ideas that offend, shock and disturb. The constant confrontation of ideas, even controversial ones, is a stepping stone to achieving a vibrant democratic society, transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

“Freedom of the press and other news media afford the public one of the best means of discovering and forming an opinion of the ideas on political and social issues and other issues of public interest. Not only does the NBC have the task of ensuring that radio stations and other media organizations can function effectively to impart such information and ideas: the public also has a right to receive them.”

Read the full statement here.