• As Ekechi insists OAAN must maintain political neutrality

Ahead of the country’s general elections, the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, has called on broadcasters to embrace conflict-sensitive reporting to safeguard the nation’s democracy.

Speaking at the recent South-West Broadcasters’ Summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, he reminded participants that broadcasting is not merely a commercial enterprise but a strategic national institution whose influence extends to governance, public trust, social cohesion and democratic consolidation.

Represented by the Coordinating Director, Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, he emphasised that while freedom of expression is a pillar of democracy, it must be exercised responsibly, with fairness, accuracyand professionalism in line with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

Speaking further, Ebuebu stressed the need for broadcasters to remain guided by facts, balance, and restraint, adding that responsible broadcasting should inform without inflaming, educate without intimidating, and promote dialogue rather than discord.

Themed, ‘Public policy, mass media and conflict-sensitive reporting: Strengthening media-government synergy for national security’, former Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service in Oyo State, Adebisi Adesola, provided deep insights into the intersection of public policy and media practice.

A major highlight was the induction and swearing-in of new members of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), further professionalising the industry and strengthening its advocacy role.

NBC enriched the proceedings with a dedicated session, titled, ‘DSO Big Picture: FreeTV, Audience Measurement, and the Evolving Media Landscape’, presented by Clementine Usman-Wamba, Head of the DSO Office, alongside Patrick Gomes, Genera Manager of First Media Limited.

The session updated participants on Nigeria’s Digital Switchover(DSO)implementation, the audience measurement system and the evolving dynamics of the media ecosystem. The commission’s participation at the summit reaffirms NBC’s regulatory support for conflict-sensitive reporting, ensuring that the nation’s broadcasters remain indispensable partners in building a peaceful, secure, informed, and united nation.

Meanwhile, outdoor media expert and former Imo State Commissioner for Information, Theodore Ekechi, has urged members of the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) to maintain highest ethical standards and observe political neutrality.

Speaking at the recent 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he observed the moment an industry association is perceived as favouring one political interest over another, it risks losing confidence of stakeholders across the socio-political economic spectrum.

Themed, ‘OOH media in political campaign season: Policies, politics, and fair practice,’ he noted OAAN should therefore continue to speak with one professional voice rather than many political voices.

Saying every stakeholder should recognise that a credible advertising industry contributes directly to credible elections, he added, “history will not only judge the politicians who contest elections; but will also judge the institutions that provide the platforms through which democracy speaks or is muted.”
Speaking further, he urged OAAN members to deepen collaborations with stakeholders and strengthen corporate governance.

In conclusion, Ekechi suggested, “OAAN must double down on cleansing the Augean stables so as to come to equity with clean hands: Self-regulatory codes designed to prevent unfair advantages, curb visual clutter or environmental pollution, stop inflammatory messaging, uphold transparency in pricing, allocation/acquisition of advertising space, contract administration and equal access to advertising inventory for all political contenders will earn her the respect of stakeholders.

As we embark on the second lap of the Charter we must be aware that we are both vulnerable and susceptible to black mail and backlash.”

On his part, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Director General, Olalekan Fadolapo, observed, “OAAN is very strategic to advertising and by extension, economic activities of the state. Soon, INEC will lift ban on the campaign for political platform and people will start pushing and Out-of-Home is also strategic to this. So, it is also important for all practitioners, stakeholders, the industry and politicians to also understand that we need a responsible advertising environment.’

In his speech, OAAN President ‘Sola Akinsiku noted, “it is time to begin the process of transformation that will engender and strengthen the quality of our service delivery, guarantee higher returns on the Advertisers’ visibility communications investments and usher our practice and business into the realm of unhindered productivity and profitability.”

In their goodwill messages, Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), President, Dozie Okafor and President Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) Tolulope Medebem commended OAAN for organising the conversation at a time when the country approaches another election cycle.