No fewer than 25 broadcast stations were sanctioned for failing to adhere to extant broadcast law on coverage of the 2023 general elections.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also issued final warning to 16 other broadcast stations.
The Director General of NBC, Mister Balarabe Ilelah made the disclosure yesterday during a press conference in Abuja ahead of the March 18 governorship and state assembly elections
Ilelah disclosed that 25 stations were sanctioned by NBC in the course of monitoring the 2023 presidential election, while 16 stations have been given a final warning.
The NBC boss revealed that one station was sanctioned for broadcasting the results of the election before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results which contravene section 5.33 of the NBC code.
He also said 17 stations were sanctioned for broadcasting partisan party content after the prescribed 24-hour stoppage time by NBC, while four stations have been sanctioned for divisive comments.
He said, “In the course of our monitoring, the Commission observed, with dismay that some Broadcast Stations allowed their platforms to be used by some guests, callers, and analysts to score unhealthy political points inimical to our corporate existence. Ethnic and religious profiling became awfully rampant. Invectives and Counterblasts were thrown freely by guests on the platform of broadcast stations at the detriment of the Nigerian people.
“Subversive discuss and reckless comments, capable of tearing us apart as a people were broadcast freely without proper gatekeeping. Ethics and professionalism were thrown overboard.
“The Commission wishes to remind you that we have one Country. And if we pave way for Anarchy, we will all be affected. We are only in business because we have peace. Our diversity should be our strength. Our assets. Our power. We must guard this jealously. History shows that all Civil wars ever fought by people of the same race, started in the media. When those who should dish out information, becomes bias and pitch camp with different groups, division is heightened. Broadcast Stations have a duty to protect our unity, and punctuate our diversity as a distinctive mark of pride and promote sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
“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 as highlighted in Section 3.1.3 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Broadcasting Commission, which was established by NBC Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to, amongst other responsibilities, license, monitor, regulate broadcasting in Nigeria and will not operate outside the precincts of this Act. The Commission will continue to carry out its mandate without fear or favour.
He said, “I wish to inform you that the Commission, prior to and during the National Election period, sanctioned 25 Broadcast Stations, while 16 others were given final warnings for the contravention of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
According to the summary of the report, 17 Stations received sanctions for Broadcast of Partisan Content during the 24hours prior to Election.
One broadcast station sanctioned for announcing result before authorized returning Officers made them public
“Three broadcast stations sanctioned for inciting Comments
Another four was sanctioned for divisive ethnic/Religious Content
“16 Broadcast Stations were given final warnings for various infringements.”
Ilelah therefore warned that ahead of the Saturday’s Governorship and State Assenbly polls, all broadcast stations must adhere to the provision of the law on broadcasting.
He said, “The Commission wishes to, again, re-emphasize that, even as we go into the Gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly Elections in the next three days, all broadcasters must adhere strictly to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the National Broadcasting Act CAP N11 Laws of the Federation, 2004.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Code in the listed sections admonished broadcasters in the following Sections:
“5.3.3(J) Ensure that the broadcast of a partisan political campaign, jingle, announcement, and any other form of partisan party identification or symbol ends not later than twenty-four hours before polling day;
For the avoidance of doubt, the Code in the listed sections admonished broadcasters in the following Sections:
“5.3.3(J) Ensure that the broadcast of a partisan political campaign, jingle, announcement, and any other form of partisan party identification or symbol ends not later than twenty-four hours before polling day;
“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; and very importantly,
5.3.3(l) relay election results or declaration of the winner only as announced by the authorized electoral officer for the election.
Finally, I wish to stress that “Broadcasters shall be responsible for the content of the Station’s broadcast.”
