The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) yesterday warned radio and
television stations in Ondo State to stop violating the broadcasting
codes or face sanctions.
The Director-General of NBC, Yomi Bolarinwa, gave the warning at a
press conference in Abuja after closed door meeting with the chief
executive officers of the broadcasting organisations.
He said the meeting was convened after several warnings were issued
to media organisations on the need to adhere to the broadcasting codes.
Bolarinwa stressed that any failure to comply with the NBC codes,
either prior to or after the election, would attract sanctions from the
commission.
He said: “NBC will no longer tolerate the continuous violation of the
broadcasting codes by abusing the need for equal air time for all the
candidates contesting the governorship election and engaging in
unreasonable and unpalatable method in informing the electorate.
“I am optimistic that they (broadcast stations) will do the right
thing. But if they don’t do the right thing, we’ll do the right thing by
sanctioning them. This is the final and last warning, which is part of
the sanction procedure.
“Whether government or privately-owned, nobody owns the stations, they hold it in trust for the people.”
Bolarinwa assured of equal opportunity for the candidates.
He said: “We have had a heart-to-heart discussion to secure their
assurance that the past violation will stop. That the airwave will be
sanitised and that all candidates and parties will be given equal
opportunities to meet the indigenes of Ondo State.
“We have got their assurance that the language of broadcast will be
kept decent, reasonable and palatable for the people of Ondo State.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Adaba FM, Dayo Johnson, said media
establishments in the state have resolved to be more professional and
work for the interest of the people.
The Director-General of the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation
(OSRC), Ladi Akeredolu-Ale, said: “What is important is for us to go
back and make the necessary corrections.”
The NBC recently fined Adaba FM N400,000 for violating the broadcasting codes in the state after several warnings.
Source: The Nation.
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