The apex broadcast industry regulator in Nigeria, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has expressed its determination to sanction any media organization that violates the broadcast code banning airing of political campaigns 24 hours to the nation’s elections.
The Director General of the NBC, Alhaji Balarabe Shehu Illela stated this during a one-day capacity building workshop organized for information officers and other stakeholders on election coverage, by the NBC and Kano state government.
Balarabe noted that, section 5.33 of the NBC Act, prescribed the stoppage of all campaign programs and jingles, 24 hours to election day.
“Let me tell any station that violates the rule will be sanctioned.
“The NBC is not interested in going about banning stations as such any media house that wants to remain should do the needful,” he said.
He said ethical skills on how to report the 2023 elections is paramount, hence the capacity building training is apt.
According to him, professionalism in the media industry revolves around serving the public with factual information that would promote unity and mutual understanding.
“The survival of the nation is more important than anything, as without Nigeria there would be no broadcast stations. The NBC is watching each and every station to ensure compliance. You have a responsibility to protect the integrity and citizens of Nigeria,” he added.
One of the participants, Sadiq Mustapha commended the capacity building stressing that it has widened his scope of knowledge on the coverage of Nigeria election including the do’s and the don’ts.
