Be sensitive, responsible, NBC urges radio broad
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has called on radio broadcasters to recognise the power of they have and exercise such with great responsibility and sensitivity.
In a message yesterday to mark World Radio Day with the theme, ‘Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster’, NBC urged radio broadcasters to produce programmes that present radio as a lifeline during emergencies and help to empower people in devastated communities, aside providing the citizenry with information that would empower them, give them a means of livelihood and sense of dignity.
The broadcast regulator described the theme as very relevant to Nigeria, in the face of mindless killing of innocent Nigerians by a misguided sect, known as Bokoharam, as well as perennial floods, which together have continued to devastate homes and farmlands and create millions of internally displaced persons in Nigeria.
“At the National Broadcasting Commission, we recognise radio as an effective medium to reach remote communities and vulnerable people to provide necessary information, essential to saving lives. We also recognise the need to ensure the safety of journalists as they cover disasters. We call for adequate insurance cover for journalists and well as reasonable access to ground zero in all cases.”
The Commission stated that practitioners must ensure that radio give access to the people to express themselves and participate in the decision-making process that would affect their lives. “In line with this, the Commission is empowering the local people to raise their voices and be heard through the grant of community radio licenses.”
It also said it remains committed to protecting radio frequencies and making sure they are available in times of emergency. “And with the successful switchover to digital broadcasting, the Commission hopes to promote the effective utilization of the spectrum, as a tool for national development.
“As we mark this year’s World Radio Day, we join the United Nations to urge all radio broadcasters in Nigeria to use radio to promote the sustainable development goals, to transform our world and demonstrate that, indeed, radio saves lives.”
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1 Comments
In the media virtually everyone is a leader, from the owner(s) of the establishment to the station manager, down to the reporters and free lance writers; this is due to the fact that they all play the role of gate keeping in one way or the other during the process of news production. Based on the great role that the type of media ownership plays on the information that is disseminated by the station, it is important that everyone involved in the media, irrespective of their station, specialty or affiliation make good use of their abilities for the good of the nation. The leadership of broadcast stations should ensure that their staffs go out of their way to provide the public with timely and objective information concerning the nation especially considering the security situation of the country and other sensitive issues. It is also necessary that special platforms for the discussion of topical issues be created for the public to air their views. The media should also yield to the call of the National Broadcasting Commission by producing programmes that present radio as a lifeline.
UZOUKWU, CHIOMA .O., 400 LEVEL, CALEB UNIVERSITY, IMOTA, LAGOS STATE
We will review and take appropriate action.