COVID-19: NBC Sanction Three Stations

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sanctioned three broadcast stations for their reports on COVID-19 considered inappropriate.

The Acting Director General, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, announced this while briefing the media on the amendment to the broadcast code and other issues.

The stations sanctioned on the account of their report on COVID-19 are Breeze FM and Adaba FM in Akure, Ondo state.

Adaba station, it was also learnt, was sanctioned twice. They are to pay N250,000 for the offences. Ababa will pay twice. On the broadcast code, the DG said it amended code will soon be published.

Also, the DG said a new time table for the Digital Switch Over (DSO) roll out will be announced immediately after the lockdown.

Idachaba also said part of the plan was to roll out in the three major cities of the country Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

He said the commission has received assurance from signal distributors to ensure the success of the roll out.

Another 25 stations were also sanctioned and fined for other various offences in the first quarter of 2020.

Recently, The Acting Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Prof. Amstrong Isachaba has charged the operators of the newly licensed Free TV, OurTv to be good ambassador of Nigeria by playing by the nation’s broadcasting code.

Prof. Idachaba gave the charge on Friday when the management of the Free TV came to formally present their Set-Up Box to the Commission in Abuja.

He reminded them that broadcasting in Nigeria comes with the responsibility of abiding by the broadcasting code and carrying contents that are devoid of divisive tendencies.

The Acting DG praised OurTv for demonstrated uncommon commitment to the promotion of local content in Nigeria and assured them the support and cooperation of the NBC management in making sure they succeed.

He encouraged them to be focused and dedicated to the promotion of unity among Nigerians and ensure that they represent Nigeria well at the global stage. His words:

‘‘We commend you for your continued commitment to the broadcast industry. I am quite sure you have invested your resources, time and energy in promoting broadcasting in Nigeria. ‘‘We are glad that part of what you are putting up is largely indigenous, production line for set-up boxes.

I take cognisance of the fact that you are already creating jobs for Nigerian youths. ‘‘Let me remind you that there are responsibilities that come with broadcasting in Nigeria. Be sure that whatever content you carry must promote image of Nigeria, culture and conditions. You must bring Nigerians together, you must not bring hate of divisiveness.

‘‘As a DHT service provider, you must consciously promote content that will balance the inequality that we have seen in the global information super high way. We hope you become good ambassador representing us at international hub and when you do that I can assure you that the current management of NBC and even in future will give you all the support that you require. You also have a responsibility to give your decoders to NBC for the purposes for monitoring.’’