It is a very sad news indeed that NBC would go as far as revoking the license of Channels tv. I can't help but react to this because I feel this is the worst news to come out of Nigeria since the declaration of Hurricane Babarrosa - the Oil War by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) early this week.

This private news-station has been a giant and a role model in the manner in which it carries out its broadcasting as is evident in their investigative journalism, quality of programming as well as quality of video and the prompt airing of breaking news from Nigeria. The station employs some of the best talent in the industry and some of the most sophisticated technology in its bussiness. Suffice it to say that it is only a blind man that would draw a comparison between a news presentation from Channels tv and NTA news. Their news anchors are like those we see everyday on CNN, thats how good these guys really are.

I usually visit www.channelstv.com every evening to watch a 15 minutes newsclip of major events in Nigeria and I think its extremely sad that Channels tv would be taken off the air for a mistake like this, everyone makes mistakes and I understand that the news was aired as an unconfirmed report and when it was confirmed as false they immediately enlightened the the public that the earlier report was false.

This happens all the time in major news organisations. For example if a source is deemed reliable enough, CNN may break a story from that source as an unconfirmed story and that is exactly what Channels tv did here. They must have thought that the newsfeed which supposedly came from NAN was authentic enough and Channels tv has a running subscription with NAN. So they broke the story. In today's competitive World, everyone wants to be the first and perhaps the best in a choosen field of endeavour, in this case, Channels tv has always had the desire to be the first and the best when it comes to breaking news from Nigeria and I don't see anything wrong with that ambition.

I also understand the position of the Federal Government when it comes to the so-called misleading information. Pres. Yar Adua appears to be someone who has enormous respect for the rule of law; he never interfered with the decisions of the election tribunals that sat or are presently sitting in various parts of the Country. I personally don't think that he ordered the invasion of Channels Headquarters in Abuja and Lagos; it must have been some unscrupulous top shots in his Administration. Nigerian leaders seem to be too insecure whenever they make the claim that someone will overthrow them from power simply because of a rumour or , maybe they have to teach me a lesson on National Security!

I sincerely hope that our Leaders will show some wisdom in the handling of this matter as the media is a watchdog for democracy and an eye for those of us in the diaspora. The Journalists need some freedom in carrying out their responsibility and it is time for the lawmakers to step in and pass the freedom of information bill. I also sincerely hope that NBC will lift the suspension on the license of Nigeria's biggest private tv station.

The world is watching,

Ndipe:

Da, uke ke afo ato ke Akwa Ibom?

ndo amana isong Eket (Idung Mfia anweh)

I believe its such a disgrace for those of us from the "land of fulfilled promises" that one of our respected sons would be involved in a mephistophelean activity of this magnitude. I'm deeply shocked and saddened by the shame that this Fmr. Ambassador has poured on Akwa Ibom State.

I really wonder when these unscrupulous Nigerians will realize that the world has changed and they too can change.

Its a shame

I believe its such a disgrace for those of us from the "land of fulfilled promises" that one of our respected sons would be involved in a mephistophelean activity of this magnitude. I'm deeply shocked and saddened by the shame that this Fmr. Ambassador has poured on Akwa  Ibom State.

I really wonder when these unscrupulous Nigerians will realize that the world has changed and they too can change.

Its a shame,