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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcast stations covering the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States of compromise.
The management of NBC, in a statement issued in Abuja, reminded broadcasters covering the elections to take note of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and other relevant regulations guiding the broadcast of elections in Nigeria.
The NBC further said it has observed with deep concerns, how ethics and ethos have been thrown to the winds by politicians, using broadcast media platforms.
“This is against the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, in Section 5, that in using materials for News and Current Affairs Programmes, the Broadcaster shall avoid Hate Speech, Inflammatory, Derogatory and Divisive Remarks or Allusions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, broadcasters are advised to note the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code that the broadcaster shall:
“3.1.2 Promote human dignity, therefore, hate speech is prohibited.
“3.11.1(a) Ensure that language or scene likely to encourage or incite to crime, or lead to disorder, is not broadcast;
“3.11.1(b) Ensure that no programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of constituted authority or compromises the unity or corporate existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state;
“5.4.1(f) Not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.
“5.3.3(g) Ensure that a political broadcast is clearly identified as such, and not presented in a manner that would mislead the audience to believe that the programme is of any other type;
“5.3.3(j) Ensure that the broadcast of a partisan political campaign, jingle, announcement and any form of partisan political party identification or symbol ends not later than twenty-four hours before polling day;
“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 authorised electoral officer for the election;
“5.3.4 In exceptional circumstances, a government functionary may perform a service relating to his/her office within the 24hour campaign restriction period, provided there is no coloration of partisanship by the official or the broadcaster,” NBC said.
The Management of NBC further said the NBC ACT CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, also prescribed in the Third Schedule 12(6) that “A Licensee shall be responsible for the content of the Station’s Broadcast.”
“Conclusively, the Commission enjoins all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their platforms and facilities to be used by politicians, their supporters and/ or sympathisers, for the broadcast of contents that may lead to the breakdown of law and order.
“Broadcasters are, therefore, expected to perform the role of peace agents by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality,” NBC also said.
