Election: NBC censures 25 broadcast stations and issues 16 final warnings

No fewer than 25 broadcast stations have received penalties from the National Broadcasting Commission for breaking the law regarding coverage of the general elections in 2023.

16 additional broadcast stations have received final warnings from the commission for a variety of violations.

This was said by NBC’s Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah, during a press conference held on Tuesday in Abuja prior to the elections for the State Houses of Assembly and governor on March 18.

He claims that while 16 stations have received a final warning, NBC sanctioned 25 stations during the monitoring of the 2023 presidential election.

A station was also fined for breaking Section 5.33 of the NBC code by announcing the election results before the Independent National Electoral Commission had done so.

He added that four stations had received sanctions for making divisive remarks, while 17 stations had received sanctions for broadcasting partisan party content after the required 24-hour stoppage time by NBC.

Ilelah stated, “During our monitoring, the commission observed, to our dismay, that some broadcast stations allowed their platforms to be used by some guests, callers, and analysts to score unfavorable political points detrimental to our corporate existence.

“Ethnic and religious profiling has gotten horribly out of control. On the broadcast stations’ platforms, guests hurled insults and counterattacks at the Nigerian people without restraint. Without adequate gatekeeping, provocative debates and careless remarks that could split our nation were broadcast openly. Professionalism and ethics were abandoned.

“The commission would like to remind you that our nation is one. And we will all suffer if we allow anarchy to flourish. Only because of the peace do we have a business. Our diversity should be viewed as a strength, asset, and source of power. We must jealously guard this. History demonstrates that media was the origin of every civil war fought by members of the same race.

“Divide is heightened when those who should disseminate information exhibit bias and align themselves with opposing groups.

He said that radio and television stations have a responsibility to uphold the nation’s unity, accentuate diversity as a distinctive source of pride, and support long-term democracy in Nigeria.

As stated in Section 3.1.3 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, “We expect broadcast stations to exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or promote sectional rights, privileges and further their own or that of their proprietors, relatives, or supporters.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Broadcasting Commission, which was established by NBC Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, will not operate outside the precincts of this Act. Its responsibilities include licensing, monitoring, and regulating broadcasting in Nigeria. Without fear or favor, the commission will keep on doing its job, he added.

Ilelah said that the report’s executive summary stated that 17 stations received sanctions for airing partisan content and that a broadcast station received sanctions for announcing results before authorized Returning Officers made them public.

“Three broadcast stations received penalties for encouraging remarks. Four more were punished for having offensive ethnic or religious content. For a variety of violations, 16 broadcast stations received final warnings,” he revealed.

Ilelah issued a warning that all broadcast stations must abide by the provisions of the law on broadcasting before this coming Saturday’s elections for the State Assembly and governor.

(TNT)