Broadcasters have been cautioned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) not to “make volatile allusions capable of sparking instability in the country
” The Nigeria Broadcasting Code, as well as other pertinent rules governing the transmission of elections in Nigeria, were reminded to be followed by all broadcasters covering and reporting the 2023 General Elections in a statement by the broadcast regular’s director-general, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah.
“The Director-General claimed that “The Commission has noted that some Guests on Broadcast stations are making dangerous allusions capable of inciting disturbance in the country.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Code admonished broadcasters in the following Sections:
“5.3.3(k) not use any vote obtained at a polling station or from an exit poll to project or speculate on the chances of a candidate;
“5.3.3(l) relay election results or declaration of the winner only as announced by the authorized electoral officer for the election;
“The NBC ACT CAP N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004, also prescribes, in the third Schedule 12(6) that, ‘A licensee shall be responsible for the content of the Station’s Broadcast,’” Ilelah stated.
While further reminding all broadcast stations that they have a duty to promote sustainable democracy in the country, NBC also warned that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to any erring station that operates outside the confines of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
“The Commission enjoins all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their platforms and facilities to be used for the broadcast of contents that may lead to the breakdown of law and order.
“Therefore, Broadcasters shall perform the role of peace agents by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality,” Ilelah also said.
