The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fined three stations for invariable content broadcast on COVID-19 and has also sanctioned 28 others for further violations of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code
NBC’s Acting Director-General, Armstrong Idachaba, made this known Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja.
Professor Mr Idachaba said the three stations fined were Adaba FM and Breeze FM, both in Akure, and Albarka FM, Ilorin.
He said the stations were fined N250,000 each for transmitting invariable statements and false information about the COVID-19 pandemic .
The NBC boss further stated that 28 other stations were sanctioned for violation of the code in areas bordering on hate speech, obscenity, technical breach, advertisement, invariable claims and unprofessionalism.
“All the stations have been either queried or sanctioned according to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code
”The commission wishes to, again, re-emphasise that all broadcasters must adhere strictly to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and National Broadcast Act CAP N11 Laws of the Federation, 2004,” Mr Idachaba said.
On the NBC reforms, Mr Idachaba said that the amendment to the sixth edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari made provisions for local content in the broadcasting industry.
It also provides provision, he says, for increased advertising revenues for local broadcasting stations and content producers.
“It also creates restrictions for monopolistic and anti competitive behavior in the broadcast industry. It further makes provision for responsibility for broadcast stations during national emergencies.
” I am glad that the work is ready now, and the commission has published the provisions of the amendment of the code,” he said.
On Digital Switch Over (DSO), the NBC boss explained that the commission was considering a new free license regime and fees for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) operators for broadcasting signal distributors
“The new rates would affect National Free-view DTT, Rational Free-view DTT and Local Free-view DTT.
” The committee expects all licenced DTT operators to commence payment of the new fees which is lower than the fees in the analogue era.
“However, very important progressive steps are being taken for the actualisation of the DSO.
“There have been several online meetings with various players and stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.
” We have concluded plans for a new timeline, indicating new cities where we are moving to and the details will be released once the lock down is fully eased,” he said.
He has called on all media industry broadcasters and staff to remain safe in the face of the raging pandemic.
