The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Friday said it has revoked the broadcast licences of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM amongst others.
The Director-General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, who made the disclosure on Friday in a statement.
He said the development followed the failure of the media houses to renew their broadcast licences.
He also directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of the operation of the stations within the next 24 hours.
According to the Commission, a two-week waiver was given to them in May to do so after which they risked the revocation of their broadcast licences.
“Three months after the publication, some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act,” the NBC said in a statement.
“Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the…stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations.
” Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.”
“The broadcast regulator said the continued operation of the “debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security”.
The Stations are said to be owing NBC N2.66 billion for renewal of broadcast licences according to channels.
