Crisis looms at Channels TV

A cold war between the management and staff of Channels Television may snowball into full industrial crisis over attempt to coerce media practitioners in the establishment to sign an undertaking to waive their rights and commit their future to the establishment.The management of the media outfit had recently drafted a document entitled “Non-compete Document of Channels Incorporated Limited,” with clauses journalists in the TV station considered inimical to their interest.

Section 8.1 and 8.2 of the document state respectively thus:  “I further agree that during the term of my

employment with the Company and for a period of eighteen (18) months thereafter, I also shall not solicit, or arrange or collaborate with any other person or entity to solicit, any person or entity engaged by the Company as an employee, customer, supplier, or consultant or advisor to the Company to terminate such party’s relationship with the Company.

“ I agree that I shall not, during the term of this Agreement or after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, either personally or as an employee, consultant, partner, officer, director or shareholder of any other person, firm, entity, partnership or corporation, (i) own, operate, lease, franchise, conduct, engage in, be connected with, have any interest in or assist any person or entity engaged in any business in Nigeria whose activities include the business of offering goods and services competitive with those offered by Channels Incorporated Ltd and its affiliated Companies”.

Also section 12.2 of the document read: “This agreement is the final, complete and exclusive agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and merges all prior discussions between us”.

When approached for comment on telephone, a female officer in the Corporate Affairs Unit of the station assured that the situation was under control and that the management has put the enforcement of the document on hold. “We have resolved the issue. No problem. You know the development was new in the industry”, she said.

But the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State chapter, Deji Elumoye, has reacted sharply, accusing the television management of trying to turn the station into a slave camp. The NUJ leader said: “We won’t fold our arms and allow the management of Channels Television under whatever disguise to deface and introduce slavery into media practice in Nigeria. We are warning and calling on the journalists in Channels Television station not to sign the purported document.

With respect to the obnoxious clauses therein, clearly, it is an indication that the management is forcing anti-labour, anti-media progress and anti-people law on the workers. The document is highly condemnable. We reject it and we will engage the management legally by mobilising our members to thwart their barbaric intention.”

“People have right to seek for job anywhere they feel they can further their career and interest at any point they feel so. We shall contact our lawyers and we will challenge the management. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will be involved.”