The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission has reaffirmed its determination in ensuring strict adherence to the Commission’s code , especially guidelines on coverage of crisis, emergencies and conflicts to enhance peace and stability in the country.
Director General of the NBC, Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah stated this during a stakeholders meeting organized by the Agency in Kano.
He urged stakeholders in the industry to play their part in setting positive direction, and help free the Country from terrorism, kidnapping and secessionists’ agenda.
Alhaji Balarabe Shehu Ilelah identified fake news as another threat to the sector and national security that needs collaborative effort to be tackled.
“This unfortunate phenomenon is assumed to be largely on social media but unfortunately, it is seriously making inroad into the conventional media. Some of our broadcasters fall prey to the tricks of fake news and get sanctioned because the onus is on you to verify any information and sources using all necessary fact-checking measures”
“We are all aware that the Code in Sections3.12, 3.11, & 5.1.3discourages any form of inciting commentary, abusive statements, insults, unfair, derogatory, fake News and hate comments, or promotion of any provocative material. Your licenses are held in trust, on behalf of the public and you signed undertakings to abide by its terms and conditions, before the Licence was granted. Please, do not do otherwise “
The Director General noted that the Commission was doing everything within its power to completely transit Nigeria to digital terrestrial Broadcasting with over one hundred digital terrestrial television licenses issued across the country.
In a remark, the chairperson Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria Hajiya Sa’a Ibrahim commended NBC for Organizing the stakeholders meeting, maintaining that it would serve as an avenue for rubbing minds together on how to move the industry forward.
The Stakeholders meeting was attended by Zonal and General managers of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Captains of Government and private broadcasting Stations and other stakeholders.
Abdullahi Jalaludeen