PRESS RELEASE

August 5, 2020.

 

The National Broadcasting Commission has monitored and noted with concern, the inflammatory, inciting, and divisive comments, especially, by politicians in Edo State, who, in recent times, have threatened violence and counterviolence.

It is, therefore, expedient to remind all broadcasters covering the Election Campaign in Edo state to take note of the provisions of the extant Electoral Law(s), the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and other relevant regulations guiding the broadcast of political content in Nigeria.

 

The NBC ACT CAP N11, Laws of the Federation 2004, prescribes, in the Third Schedule 12(6) that “A Licencee shall be responsible for the content of the Stations Broadcast.

 

For the benefit of the doubt, Broadcasters are advised to note the following Sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which provides that the Broadcaster shall;

 

Section 5.33(b)         in using political materials for News and Current Affairs Programmes, avoid Hate Speech; Inflammatory, Derogatory and Divisive Remarks or Allusions;

 

Section 5.3.3(e),       ensure that a political broadcast is in decent language;

 

Section 5.4.1(f)         not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.

The Broadcaster shall also note that the political objectives of broadcasting mandate the Broadcaster to ‘inculcate in the people, the spirit of tolerance of all shades of opinion’.

The Commission, therefore, enjoins all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing its platforms and facilities to be used for the broadcast of contents that may lead to the breakdown of law and order.

The broadcaster shall perform the role of a peace agent by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.

Signed:

 

Management