The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has sanctioned the Television Continental, TVC, and Arise television stations with a fine of two (2) million Naira each for breaching sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The two separate letters to each of the TV stations was signed by the Commission’s Director General, Barabe Shehu Ilelah, stated in details of how NBC had monitored their consistent breach of the Nigeria Broadcasting code over a period of time during the count down to the 2023 general elections. The letter also noted that,
“The penalty shall be paid within two weeks of the receipt of this letter or sanction shall be graduated.
“The broadcaster shall ensure that its presenters handle programme with professionalism and sound judgement, to ensure that it does not lose focus or lead to unfair treatment of any person or institution.
“Broadcasting shall promote human dignity; therefore, hate speech is prohibited. The Broadcaster shall not transmit any programme, programme promotion, community service announcement or station identity, which is likely, in any circumstance, to provoke or perpetuate in a reasonable person, intense dislike, serious contempt or severe ridicule against a person or groups of people because of age, colour, gender, national or ethnic origin, disability race, religion or political leaning.”
The Director General said, the worrisome trend had become a house style on the channels that enjoys national coverage.
Story: Christy Dung