As part of efforts aimed at effective implementation of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) policy, members of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) have called on the management of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to urgently convene stakeholders meeting with a view to moving the digital migration process forward.

They stated this at the 82nd General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) held in Calabar, Cross River State.

Recall early this year, the country officially transitioned from analogue to digital broadcasting with the launch of the DSO.

But in a communique released shortly after the event, the members noted, “the General Assembly reflected on the recent DSO exercise by the NBC through which some television stations were migrated to Direct-To-Home (DTH) transmission via NigComSat.”

The communique signed by BON Executive Secretary Yemisi Bamgbose added, “the Assembly calls on the NBC to convene a stakeholders’ meeting in the broadcast sector as agreed before the last switchover exercise. Regular engagements will enable stakeholders to review developments in the broadcast industry with a view to moving the digital migration process forward.”

In addition, the members also critically dissected the impact of the current nation’s economy on the broadcast industry and the public.

They noted with concern that many radio and television stations have shut down operations, while many others have drastically reduced transmission hours owing to excruciating operational challenges occasioned by the high cost of diesel and the unbearable tariffs of public power supply, coupled with its epileptic nature.

The Assembly further appealed to the federal and sub-national governments to come up with concrete plans that will provide noticeable relief capable of rescuing the broadcast sector from total collapse.

In addition, participants expressed serious concern at multiple taxes and levies being imposed on broadcast stations by Local Government Authorities, despite the payment of statutory licence fees to NBC.

The Assembly, therefore, urged the National Revenue Service (NRS) to holistically review the new tax regime by harmonising taxation as contained in the recently enacted Tax Act.

Noting the critical role private broadcast media play in every state as regards enhancing information flow between government and the governed, BON also urged the Federal and state governments to subsidise energy costs of private broadcast stations within their domains through support for solar energy and other alternative power solutions.

This, they said, has become necessary to ensure regular and unhindered information dissemination and public enlightenment to the nooks and crannies of the country.

Concerning coverage of the forthcoming general elections, the Assembly appealed to all Chief Executive Officers of broadcast stations to ensure credibility and accuracy in dissemination of information on the ongoing campaigns and activities relating to the forthcoming general elections.

The members further urged broadcast media organisations to organise election debates at the state level as part of efforts to bring contestants closer to the people they aspire to lead.

The Assembly also expressed readiness to work in conjunction with the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and other stakeholders to organise professionally-driven debates at both Federal and State levels.