Station Closed Down After Hoax

Nigerian TV station off air over report on president's health

A leading Nigerian private television station was taken off air after it reported that the president was considering resigning on health grounds, authorities said Wednesday.

The offending broadcast was based on a Tuesday report allegedly sent out by the official state News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) which said President Umaru Yar'Adua could stand down "for medical reasons."

The agency has denied being the source of the article while Yar'Adua's aides have said he has no plans whatsoever to resign.

"The NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) hereby invokes the law and suspends with immediate effect the broadcasting operations of Channels Television in all locations in Nigeria," the broadcasting authority said in a statement.

Security forces personnel had visited the station's offices and five people were taken in for questioning. The channel has been off the airwaves since Tuesday evening.

The closure sparked a storm of criticism as media watchdogs urged the authorities to probe the story's source instead of closing down media houses or arresting journalists.

"No medium of communication should be shut down on account of alleged infraction. Any professional misconduct should be properly investigated," said the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

(AFP)