NBC cautions against hate speech, fake news
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has urged broadcasters and the general public to ensure strict compliance with the Nigerian Constitution, the NBC Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the Electoral Act 2022, and other extant laws relating to the coverage of elections.
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, who spoke at the just concluded two-day seminar on contemporary issues in broadcast regulation for some NBC leaders and other frontline officers, organised by the Institute for Media and Society, (IMS) in Lagos, warned that “any subversive, dangerous, incendiary, hate or fake and unwholesome content whether online or on traditional media shall not be condoned.”
Ilelah, who said that it was expedient to caution the fourth estate of the realm against being used for negative broadcasts that can mislead, or lead to public disorder assured that “NBC will continue to ensure equity, fairness, and balance during campaigns. To this end, I have constituted a Standing Electoral Monitoring/Complaints Committee to handle infractions and complaints arising from political broadcasts promptly, as provided for in the Code. I wish to use this medium to advise all broadcast stations to do the same.”
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Director of IMS, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, said that the media must ensure professionalism at all times.
According to him: “Media owners, government, and security agencies should provide an enabling environment for journalists to carry out professional coverage. Institutions which could pose challenges to fair, independent, and professional regulation (especially in the broadcasting sector) should steer clear of the work of the regulator, that is NBC.”
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