By Agency Reporter
The National Broadcasting Commission has cautioned the broadcast media to avoid political issues that could incite members of the public.
This caution is contained in a statement issued by Public Relations Officer, NBC, Mrs. Maimuna Jinadu, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.
The statement quoted the NBC Director-General, Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa, as saying that radio and television broadcast should be guided by principles of fairness, truthfulness, decency and high integrity.
“NBC and media executives resolved that broadcasting in Nigeria should match the best in the world, uphold human dignity, inform, educate and entertain the people in a manner that is ennobling,” it said.
It, however, pointed out that the experience of the commission in Ondo State in recent times had been heart breaking.
“Despite the Electoral Law, campaigns started in some stations as far back as August 2011, 11 months ahead of time; yet the law only allows 90 days for campaigning in the media.
“From August 2011 till date, we have witnessed with shock, the complete disregard of broadcast rules by some stations.
“Political jingles are in excess of 60 seconds; campaign language has been abusive and sometimes simply inciting,” it said.
The statement said that the airwaves were charged with indecent and unacceptable rhetoric, including innuendos, euphemism and metaphors in jingles.
It said the commission noticed with dismay the imbalance in political coverage exhibited by the stations.
“We have observed with amazement the denial of access to some political parties and candidates without any justifiable reason.
“Some stations have become the exclusive preserve of certain political parties and candidates.
“As we speak, commercialisation of political broadcasts has become a recurring practice in Ondo State.
“This is not acceptable,” it said.
The statement said the commission understood the zeal of stations to generate revenue, adding that it was not necessary to compromise professionalism and the ethics of the journalism profession.
It said the NBC was not bothered that politicians were trying to outdo one another, but that broadcasters should not encourage them.
It contended that the media should know better and defend the code and sensibilities of their audience.
The statement warned that severe sanctions would be imposed on any station found wanting.
“The Nigeria Broadcasting Code enjoins all broadcasting stations to grant access to all contestants in every election to canvass for votes in a manner that is decent and civil.
“NBC encourages issue-based campaign, and nothing should be done to incite the public to violence,” the statement said.
It reminded the stations that the duration of a political jingle was 60 seconds, maximum, and the language of campaign must be rancour-free.
The statement stressed that the commission had a duty to uphold the broadcast code, no matter whose interest was at stake.
It reminded the media of the misuse of broadcasting in 1983 election in Ondo State and the consequences of such behaviour.
It said that as a regulator of the broadcast industry, the NBC was determined to be firm in the enforcement of the broadcast rules, no matter whose ox is gored.
“Every station would henceforth be held accountable for its actions or inaction as stipulated in the code,” the agency warned.
The National Broadcasting Commission has cautioned the broadcast media to avoid political issues that could incite members of the public.
This caution is contained in a statement issued by Public Relations Officer, NBC, Mrs. Maimuna Jinadu, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.
The statement quoted the NBC Director-General, Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa, as saying that radio and television broadcast should be guided by principles of fairness, truthfulness, decency and high integrity.
“NBC and media executives resolved that broadcasting in Nigeria should match the best in the world, uphold human dignity, inform, educate and entertain the people in a manner that is ennobling,” it said.
It, however, pointed out that the experience of the commission in Ondo State in recent times had been heart breaking.
“Despite the Electoral Law, campaigns started in some stations as far back as August 2011, 11 months ahead of time; yet the law only allows 90 days for campaigning in the media.
“From August 2011 till date, we have witnessed with shock, the complete disregard of broadcast rules by some stations.
“Political jingles are in excess of 60 seconds; campaign language has been abusive and sometimes simply inciting,” it said.
The statement said that the airwaves were charged with indecent and unacceptable rhetoric, including innuendos, euphemism and metaphors in jingles.
It said the commission noticed with dismay the imbalance in political coverage exhibited by the stations.
“We have observed with amazement the denial of access to some political parties and candidates without any justifiable reason.
“Some stations have become the exclusive preserve of certain political parties and candidates.
“As we speak, commercialisation of political broadcasts has become a recurring practice in Ondo State.
“This is not acceptable,” it said.
The statement said the commission understood the zeal of stations to generate revenue, adding that it was not necessary to compromise professionalism and the ethics of the journalism profession.
It said the NBC was not bothered that politicians were trying to outdo one another, but that broadcasters should not encourage them.
It contended that the media should know better and defend the code and sensibilities of their audience.
The statement warned that severe sanctions would be imposed on any station found wanting.
“The Nigeria Broadcasting Code enjoins all broadcasting stations to grant access to all contestants in every election to canvass for votes in a manner that is decent and civil.
“NBC encourages issue-based campaign, and nothing should be done to incite the public to violence,” the statement said.
It reminded the stations that the duration of a political jingle was 60 seconds, maximum, and the language of campaign must be rancour-free.
The statement stressed that the commission had a duty to uphold the broadcast code, no matter whose interest was at stake.
It reminded the media of the misuse of broadcasting in 1983 election in Ondo State and the consequences of such behaviour.
It said that as a regulator of the broadcast industry, the NBC was determined to be firm in the enforcement of the broadcast rules, no matter whose ox is gored.
“Every station would henceforth be held accountable for its actions or inaction as stipulated in the code,” the agency warned.
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