"Uphold Professionalism!" Broadcasters told.
Broadcasters have been urged to uphold professionalism in order to protect their integrity, which is their most prized possession. They are also reminded that even though their proprietors own the stations, the airwaves belong to the public. |
"Uphold Professionalism!" Broadcasters told.
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Engr Yomi Bolarinwa made the charge when the Commission reproached Radio Gotel and Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation, both based in Yola.
The station executives, Bashir Mustafa General Manager, Radio Gotel and Ayuba Tumba, General Manager , Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation, were invited to the Commission’s headquarters over the handling of two programmes, “Inda ba Kasa” on Radio Gotel and “Taba Kidi” on Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation, which had unsettled the airwaves in the state and brought about unhealthy rivalry between the stations.
Monitoring reports had indicated that the presenters of the programmes had gone overboard, using the programmes to settle political scores contrary to sections 0.3.2.1, 3.1.2, 3.6.1, 3.9.1 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. They were also allowing listeners who called in to use abusive language against their political opponents on air as well as playing music with unacceptable lyrics.
The Director General urged broadcasters not to allow politics or their proprietors to dictate how to run the profession of broadcasting but rather always put professionalism and national interest first. He challenged the management of Radio Gotel and Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation to give the industry a chance to gain public trust so that the people are not driven to foreign stations.
Engr Bolarinwa said the Commission was deeply concerned that the two stations were causing disaffection between the people of Adamawa. He stated that it was unacceptable for people to be allowed to go on air without control, stressing that the professional best practice was for every presenter to have a full script, or at least a guide to ensure that he or she does not go off track. He urged them to work in consonance with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to ensure high standards.
The executives from both stations took turn to explain the original synopses of the programmes, showing how the presenters derailed somewhere along the line. They also explained measures taken to address the issues to keep the presenters in check. They lamented that because the presenters were connected to powerful politicians, they had found ways of circumventing the efforts of the stations’ managements.
Engr Bolarinwa thanked the two station chief executives for honouring the Commission’s invitation to the meeting and advised them to ensure that they did the right thing, assuring them that the Commission does not take sides with any station but is rather committed to quality broadcasting in the country.
The Director of Broadcast Content, Tom Aliu Chatta, Director, Broadcast Policy and Research, Mark ojiah, Head of Public Affairs, Awwalu Salihu, Deputy Director Secretary’s office Faruk Sallah, and Zonal Director, Maiduguri, Dr Onoja Igomu were present at the meeting.
Story by Bridget Udeorah
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Broadcasters told to Uphold Professionalism
The Director General urged broadcasters not to allow politicians or proprietors dictate to them how to run the profession of broadcasting but they should always put the national interest first. He challenged the management of Radio Gotel and Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation to give the industry a change to gain public trust so that they do not drive the people to the foreign stations.
Engr Bolarinwa said the problem is not about the programmes but that the two stations were causing disaffection between the people of Adamawa. He stated that if people are allowed to go on air without control, then there is a problem, he urged them work in consonance with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to ensure that standard was maintained.
The station executives were invited to the Commission headquarters over the style of presentation especially regarding two programmes in their respective stations. The programmes, “Inda kasa” on Radio Gotel and “Taba Kidi” on Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation had unsettled the airwaves in the state and brought unhealthy rivalry between the stations.
The presenters of the programmes had gone above board and allowed listeners who call in during the programme to use abusive language on air, they also play music with unacceptable and abusive lyrics. These programmes were politically biased and as such future along political affiliations in which case they use abusive and offensive language. The two programmes soon became the ground for settling political scores and contravene sections 0.3.2.1, 3.1.2, 3.6.1, 3.9.1 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The executives from both stations took turn to explain what the programme synopsis and how the presenters derailed along the line. They also explained measures taken to address the issues but because the presenters are connected to the powerful politicians they had a way of circumventing the efforts of the station management.
The Director General thanked them for accepting the Commission’s invitation to arbitrate and advise them to ensure that the do the right thing because the Commission does not take sides with any station but is committed to quality broadcasting in the country.
The Director of Broadcast Content, Aliyu Tom Chatta, Director, Broadcast Policy and Research, Mark ojiah, Head Public Affairs, Awwalu Salihu, Deputy Director Secretary’s office Faruk Sallah, and Zonal Director, Maiduguri, Dr Onoja Igomu were present at the meeting.
Story by Bridget Udeorah
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