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NBC cautions broadcasters, stations against violating provision of electoral laws

*Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission again, warns all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their media platforms and facilities for broadcast of content that may lead to breakdown of law and order during the 2023 General Elections in the West African country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of the ongoing 2023 Nigeria General Elections, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has restated its warning to broadcasters covering and reporting the phases of elections against violating the provision of the extant electoral laws and Broadcasting Code.

Malam Balarabe Ilelah, Director-General of NBC, re-issued the caution to the broadcast media stakeholders in a statement released Monday, February 27, 2023, in Abuja, FCT.

Ilelah said that the regulatory Commission had observed that some guests on certain broadcast stations were making volatile allusions capable of causing unrest in the West African country.

The NBC, however, urged all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their media platforms and facilities to be used for the broadcast of content that may lead to the breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.

The regulator also warned that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to any erring broadcast station that operates outside the confines of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

The statement further said: “The NBC reminds all broadcasters covering and reporting the 2023 General Elections to endeavour to abide by the provisions of the Extant Electoral Law(s), the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and other relevant regulations guiding the broadcast of elections in Nigeria.

“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 authorised electoral officer for the election.”

Ilelah as well stated: “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.”

The NBC Chief also stressed the for broadcast professionals to perform the role of peace agents by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.

He said: “The Commission, while reminding all broadcast stations by this release that they have a duty to promote sustainable democracy in Nigeria, also warns that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to any erring station.”

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