NBC to broadcast stations: contravene Electoral Act and go to jail
By Abimbola Mohammed
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has instructed players in the nation’s broadcasting sub-sector of the media industry to adhere strictly to the provision of Electoral Act 2022 that spells out responsible and professional coverage of broadcast campaigns and elections.
Speaking at a political sensitisation workshop in Bayelsa State as part of the buildup campaign ahead of this year’s gubernatorial election in the state, NBC Director General, Mall. Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, urged broadcast journalists to adhere strictly to media ethics in relation to the provision. He pointed out that the Act empowers the electoral umpire to prosecute presenters, principal officers, media house owners and persons that contravene the Electoral Act.
The DG, who was represented at the workshop by the Director, Broadcast Monitoring, Mrs. Francisca Aiyetan, added that the event gives room for the Commission to reach out to the conscience of other critical stakeholders to allow broadcasters do their job without putting them under undue pressure as this could threaten the success of the gubernatorial election. He added that the Commission hopes that the workshop will avail broadcasters the opportunity to refresh their code of ethics and remind them of the need to be professional during and after the election.
He further called on broadcasters to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, which, the DG said, empowers the electoral umpire to prosecute presenters, principal officers, media house owners and persons that contravene the Electoral Act and if found wanting, could be fined millions of naira or imprisoned or both.
The DG’s representative implored broadcasters to be guided by the laws and the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as the Commission will ensure strict adherence to these extant laws. She laid emphasis on the fact that NBC will not hesitate to sanction any defaulting station in consonance with the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. She, therefore, reminded broadcast practitioners that licenses are held in trust on behalf of the public and should be administered with utmost responsibility.
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