NBC to sanction broadcast stations over inciting comments by guests
By Felicia Nwosu
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has frowned at the ongoing trend across various broadcast stations, which allow guests to make inciting and derogatory comments that can lead to disarray among the citizenry, especially during the heat of the political transition of the country. The commission, therefore, has issued a strict warning against such while stating that any erring broadcast station will bear the brunt of its guest’s provocative statement.
Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, the Director-General of NBC, issued the stern warning in Abuja, reprimanded them and urged them to desist from such or face the music. Ilelah said that the commission had observed that some guests on broadcast stations were making volatile allusions capable of causing unrest in the country.
“The NBC reminds all broadcasters covering and reporting the 2023 General Elections to endeavour to abide by the provisions of the Extant Electoral Law(s), the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and other relevant regulations guiding the broadcast of elections in Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, the Code admonished broadcasters in the following Sections.“5.3.3(k) not use any vote obtained at a polling station or from an exit poll to project or speculate on the chances of a candidate;“5.3.3 (l) relay election results or declaration of the winner only as announced by the authorized electoral officer for the election. The NBC ACT CAP N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004, also prescribes, in the third Schedule 12(6) that, a licensee shall be responsible for the content of the Station’s Broadcast.”
He also emphasised the need for broadcasters to perform the role of peace agents by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy, and neutrality.
“The commission, while reminding all broadcast stations by this release that they have a duty to promote sustainable democracy in Nigeria, also warns that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to any erring station,” he added.
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