NBC Cautions Broadcast Stations In Nigeria On Political Adverts

Some broadcast stations in Nigeria have been violating the Nigerian broadcast code, the National Broadcasting Commission has said.

In a statement made available in Abuja on Wednesday, Director General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba, warned all broadcast stations to adhere to the provisions of the code or risk being sanctioned.

Mba said: “The commission notes that in carrying out their responsibility, some stations have been operating outside the provisions of the code in a manner that could become counterproductive to the national objective of peaceful, free and fair elections.

“The commission has noted that some stations have been broadcasting programmes and adverts that violate the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code with respect to decency, truthfulness and fairness.”

He added, “We have already written those stations to desist and are still considering further sanctions in line with the provisions of the law.

“The NBC wishes, further, to use this medium to warn all broadcasters to adhere to the provisions of the code, especially Section 5.2 on political broadcasts, and section 7.6 on political advertising.”

The regulatory agency had recently disclosed that it sanctioned a total of 35 broadcast stations for violation of the Nigerian broadcasting code during the 2011 General Elections.

The 35 broadcast stations were sanctioned for various breaches including advertisement less than 24 hours to voting; undue advantage to some parties in programmes; and non-equitable airtime.

Other offences that attracted the wrath of the regulator included negative adverts; speculation or announcement of results; and non-keeping of logs of political programmes.

Mbah said broadcast stations could avoid running fowl of the law by signing pacts with political parties to enable them take out provocative statements especially during life broadcasts.

He equally said that the regulatory agency had concerns with several phone-in programmes as well as many stations owned by state governments that thrive on impunity and those that fail to give access to opposition parties.

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