The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has cautioned broadcast stations against promoting the activities of terrorists and bandits through the review of national Newspapers.
Besides, the commission reminded broadcast stations of the need to be guided by the broadcast code.
The Commission in a letter to the broadcast stations dated July 7th 2021 and signed by Mrs. Francisca Aiyetan, Director, Broadcast Monitoring
The letter reads: “The National Broadcasting Commission wishes to draw attention to critical issues rising from review of newspapers broadcast stations daily. Headlines of daily Newspapers on daily basis are repletes with security topics while bring information of security to the doorsteps of Nigerians is a necessity, there is need for caution as too much details may adverse implications in the efforts of our security officials who are duty bound to deal with the issue of insurgency.
“Some of the topics also have ethnological coating thereby pitching one section of the country against the other and leaving Nigeria in daily hysteria. The commission therefore enjoins broadcasters to collaborate with government in dealing with security challenge by: “Not glamorizing the nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits etc; Advising guest and or analysts on programmes not to polarize the citizenry with divisive rhetoric in driving home their points; Not giving details of either the security issues or victims of the security challenges so as not to jeopardize the efforts of the Nigerians soldiers and other security agents.
“The commission reminds you to be guided by the provisions of sections 5.4.1(f) and 5.4.3 of the NB code that says,” the broadcaster shall not transmit divisive materials that may threatened or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of the Nigeria as a sovereign state” and “ In reporting conflict situations, the broadcaster shall perform the role of a peace agent by adhering to the principle of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.”
