₦airaland Forum

by Janefrances Chibundu


The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says broadcast presenters who express personal opinions as facts or bully guests on air will face sanctions.

In a statement on Friday, the commission said it has observed a rise in violations of the sixth edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code across news, current affairs and political programmes.

“The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has identified a sustained increase in breaches of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code across News, Current Affairs, and Political Programmes,” the statement reads.

“Broadcast platforms are increasingly being deployed in ways that depart from their core obligation to inform the public with accuracy, balance, and professionalism.”

The NBC said some anchors and presenters now deviate from professional standards by denying fair hearing to opposing views and compromising neutrality during broadcasts.

The commission warned that such conduct contravenes provisions of the code, which require presenters to remain impartial and ensure all sides to issues of public interest are fairly represented.

“Henceforth, any anchor or presenter found to have expressed personal opinion as fact, bullied or intimidated a guest, denied fair hearing to opposing views, or otherwise compromised neutrality, shall be deemed to have committed a Class B breach,” NBC said.

The NBC also raised concerns over the increasing use of broadcast platforms by political actors to air divisive, inflammatory and unsubstantiated content.

It reiterated that broadcasters bear full editorial responsibility for all content aired, including during live programmes, adding that such responsibility cannot be transferred to guests.

The NBC said it will enforce strict compliance with the broadcasting code, warning that breaches relating to hate speech, incitement and lack of balance will attract sanctions.

The commission urged broadcasters to uphold professionalism, fairness and accuracy, adding that as Nigeria enters a critical electoral period, the airwaves must not be used to propagate misinformation.

yarimo:
Someone like RUFAI oseni supposed to be doing documentary on animals

eyenogoquiet:
Freedom of speech my foot.

matify83:
Why does the NBC want to be a willing tool in the hand of the government to GAG the press?

Who is afraid of evidence based and statistical indices in interrogating performance or the lack of one?

Why is the government suddenly afraid of being probed on all the many lofty and beautiful dividends of democracy they have delivered across the nooks and crannies of the federation?

Didn't they malign and use excoriating, corrosive and unprintable words against Jonathan via these same media houses?

We can all see why they confabulate and "drink water" when ambushed by international journalists like Stephen Sackur of BBC and Mehdi Hasan of aljazeera.

I smell a cadaver

blowjohn:
Imagine rufai asking a guest how many primary or secondary schools are in his state!

Like the heck??

Just because the guest is contesting for governorship O!

givedemwotowoto:
This goes against freedom of speech

Government has no business controlling how journalists conduct their interviews. If they break the law, sue them to court

dre11:
https://www.thecable.ng/presenters-who-express-opinions-as-fact-bully-guests-risk-sanctions-says-nbc/