Code Violation: NBC Threatens To Shut Down Broadcast Stations
The National Broadcasting Commission has said it will shut down broadcast stations found culpable of using their platforms to undermine the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement following a meeting between NBC’s Director-general, Balarabe Ilelah, and broadcast stations on the coverage of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.
According to the regulator, further breaches of the Broadcasting Code would not be tolerated.
It said it would not hesitate to revoke the license of broadcasters threatening the peace of the country.
The statement read partly, “The NBC is giving its last warning to broadcast stations and will not hesitate to shut or revoke the license of any when convinced its activities are capable of undermining the peaceful coexistence of the country
“Any further breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and Act will no longer be tolerated.”
The commission noted that it followed the coverage of the elections by some broadcast stations, who availed unpatriotic individuals their platforms to make subversive, hateful, and inciting utterances, particularly post-election.
The NBC enjoined broadcast stations to avoid the promotion of negative conversations which are not only dangerous to democracy but posed threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence.
“In as much as the commission believes in the freedom of expression, it is also seriously constrained to act decisively on any broadcaster that exploits the fragile peace of our nation,” the statement added.
