The National Broadcasting Commission, or NBC, has warned Nigerian broadcast stations against violating relevant regulations governing election coverage.
This was stated in a statement signed by NBC Director General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, who expressed deep concern about how politicians have thrown ethics to the wind by using the broadcast media in a manner that violates the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Ilelah, who emphasized that hate speech, inflammatory, derogatory, and divisive remarks are prohibited by the code, warned that any broadcasting station found to have violated the code would face sanctions.
“The NBC Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, prescribes in the Third Schedule that ‘A Licensee shall be responsible for the content of the station’s broadcast,” according to the statement.
The NBC president warned broadcasters not to allow politicians, their supporters, and sympathizers to use their platforms and facilities to broadcast content that could lead to the breakdown of law and order.
Ilelah urged broadcasters to act as peacemakers by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy, and neutrality.
