NBC to sanction broadcasters over wrong election coverage
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Broadcasters covering the election have been warned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to stop using or allowing their platforms and facilities to be used to purvey content that may lead to a breakdown of law and order.
NBC Director General Balarabe Ilelah gave the warning in a statement titled, “Warning to broadcast stations,” issued in Abuja on Monday night.
He urged broadcasting stations to promote democracy in Nigeria and threatened sanctions would be applied to any station that violates the rules.
“The National Broadcasting Commission reminds all broadcasters covering and reporting the 2023 general elections to endeavor 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,” Ilelah stressed.
He said some guests on broadcasting stations are making volatile comments that may cause unrest in the country.
“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 authorised electoral officer for the election.”
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Broadcasters responsibility for content they put out
“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,” the statement added, via reporting by The PUNCH.
“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 that operates outside the confines of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
“The commission enjoins all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their platforms and facilities to be used for the broadcast of contents that may lead to the breakdown of law and order.
“Therefore, broadcasters shall perform the role of peace agents by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.”