2023: NBC warns broadcast stations against misuse of airwaves

As activities toward the 2023 general election gear up, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has urged broadcast stations to ensure that every news or current affairs programme conforms to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, adding that they must exhibit necessary professionalism and take responsibility for the content they transmit.

The warning followed the Commission’s observation that different groups were misusing the airwaves to propagate incendiary material in some broadcasting stations in recent times.

A statement signed by the Director General of the Commission, Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, stressed that every broadcasting station is responsible for the content it transmits and shall be held liable for any content in violation of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

“This is the commission implores broadcasters to advise guests or analysts on their platforms not to polarise the citizenry with divisive rhetoric in driving home their point.

“While appreciating the need of educating, informing and enlightening the public on issues bordering on our national development, the Commission wishes to seize this opportunity to advise broadcasters to be circumspect in the handling of News and Current Affairs programmes by exhibiting necessary professionalism,” Ilelah said.

The Commission reminded broadcasters to be guided by the provision of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, especially the underlisted sections:

5.3.3 (b): The Broadcaster shall in using political materials for news and current affairs programmes, avoid hate speech, inflammatory, derogatory and divisive remarks or allusions.

5.4.1 (f): The Broadcaster shall not transmit divisive material that may threaten or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.

5.5.6: The Broadcaster shall have a delay mechanism to guard against possible undesirable content.