The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), said it would seek liquidation of the African Independent Television (AIT) and ThisDay Newspaper over nonpayment of salary arrears they owe their staff.
The Executive Director, CASER, Mr Frank Tietie, said this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja. He said the civil society group would approach the court to seek the liquidation of the media organisations because of their non-commitment to the welfare of their staff.
He, however, appealed to the management of ThisDay newspaper and AIT to pay outstanding salaries, entitlements and remit pension deduction of former employees.
The group, however, issued a seven day ultimatum to the two media houses to pay, adding that failure to comply would degenerate to a legal tussle. “Unless the salary arrears together with entitlements and unremitted pension deductions are paid within the period, we shall on behalf of the former workers cause the institution of various legal proceedings against the media houses.
“This will include but not limited to the liquidation of the companies to ensure that the salary arrears, entitlements and pension deductions are paid,’’ he said.
Tietie called for a declaration of a state of emergency in the Nigerian private media following reports of long standing unpaid salaries, entitlements and pension remittances of former staff.
He noted that such abysmal state of affairs would constitute a breach from Nigerian citizens’ right to a free and sound press.
He said it amounted to a violation of the journalists and other media workers’ right to work and be entitled to salaries, contractual entitlements and pension.
The group had earlier written to the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders in the media industry for quick action.
Tietie said the letter was copied to the Ministry of Information, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Nigeria Press Council.
