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NBC Threatens to Close Stations Airing Shows that Endanger National Security.
NBC threatens to close stations airing shows that endanger national security.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has pledged to shut down broadcast outlets that show content that could jeopardize peace and national security.
NewsReport that in a meeting with broadcast outlets regarding the coverage of the presidential, national assembly, gubernatorial, and state assembly elections, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, Director-General of NBC, gave the warning.
“The NBC is giving its last warning to broadcast stations and will not hesitate to shut them down or revoke their licenses when convinced that their activities are capable of undermining the peaceful coexistence of the country.”
“Any further breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and Act will no longer be tolerated,” he warned.
He said the Commission monitored the coverage of the elections by some broadcast stations and was petrified that some of them yielded air time to unpatriotic individuals to make subversive, hateful, and inciting utterances, particularly post-election.
He noted, however, that the coverage of the elections and post-election matters was “marred by unguarded statements, divisiveness, and dangerous comments.”
The NBC DG noted that the media has a role to play in ensuring national development by publishing or broadcasting narratives of national reconciliation and healing in these unsettling times.
He urged broadcast stations to avoid the promotion of negative conversations that are not only dangerous to democracy but also constitute threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence.
He acknowledged that using broadcast platforms to incite supporters or create enmity would not help in deepening the nation’s democracy.
“In as much as the Commission believes in the freedom of expression, it is also seriously constrained to act decisively on any broadcaster that exploits the fragile peace of our nation,” he stressed.
He appealed to broadcast stations to abide strictly by the laid-down rules of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the Act, and other extant laws guiding broadcasting in Nigeria.
He stressed that the media has a responsibility to ensure that national issues discussed on the airwaves are done with decorum, civility, patriotism, and a sense of fairness.
