Political campaign: NBC sanctions 45 broadcast stations
BYTom Okpe, Abuja
…..Threatens to shut down some after paying N500, 000 fines
No fewer than forty-five broadcast stations have been sanctioned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over some infractions that violated its code during political campaigns before last Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Director-General of NBC, Mallam Isi’aq Kawu Modibbo, who disclosed this in Abuja at a press briefing on Friday, said these stations have been asked to pay N500, 000 each for the offences committed ranging from hate speeches, fake news among others.
He stressed that the commission will not hesitate to shut down any station which continues to violate already slated ethics and etiquettes of the profession, insisting that the broadcasters need to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Code, especially on the need for compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The NBC boss lamented how some stations were so adamant in flouting rules despite the commission’s efforts to train, organise seminars and orientate all stations across the country.
He explained, “The Commission embarked on a deliberate training and sensitization programme before the elections. The Commission organised training sessions in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Enugu, Sokoto and Abuja to remind stations of the provisions of the broadcasting Code and to warn about the dangers of hate speech.
“The Commission also visited broadcast stations across the country in preparation for the elections. The Commission partnered with several agencies including the EU SDGN Project to train broadcasters across the country.
“We organised a one day workshop on Hate Speech, Fake news, Vote & PVC buying. We similarly set up an election coverage monitoring process across the country. And that involved all the members of the NBC management. It was a 24 hours operation. Staff of the Commission also attended several training sessions.
“Despite the above interventions, at the end of the Presidential elections held on the 23rd of February, 2019, the following stations were found culpable of infractions of the provisions of the Code and have been sanctioned, accordingly. They violated Sections 5.2.12, 7.6.6 and 7.6.7 of the Code.”
Modibbo also revealed that the Commission also sanctioned stations who allowed politicians to make abusive, inciting and provocative statements during rallies.
He said this happened on several radio and television stations particularly, on the four national networks such as, NTA, AIT, Channels TV and TVC News.
