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Broadcasters covering the 2023 elections have been advised by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) not to break any rules outlined in the current Broadcasting Code or electoral laws.
Malam Balarabe Ilelah, the Director-General of NBC, issued the warning in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Ilelah said that the commission had noticed that some guests on talk shows were saying things that could cause trouble in the country.
In light of the potential of transmitting content that could lead to the breakdown of law and order, he urged all broadcasters to cease such use immediately.
The head of NBC also said that any station that broke the nigeria Broadcasting Code would be punished.
He said, “The NBC reminds all broadcasters covering and reporting the 2023 General Elections to endeavour to abide by the provisions of the Extant Electoral Law(s), the nigeria Broadcasting Code, and other relevant regulations guiding the broadcast of elections in nigeria.
”For the avoidance of doubt, the Code admonished broadcasters in the following Sections:
”5.3.3(k) not use any vote obtained at a polling station or from an exit poll to project or speculate on the chances of a candidate;
”5.3.3 (l) relay election results or declaration of the winner only as announced by the authorized electoral officer for the election.
“The NBC ACT CAP N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004, also prescribes, in the third Schedule 12(6) that, “A licensee shall be responsible for the content of the Station’s Broadcast.”
He also said that broadcasters need to act as peacemakers by following the rules of responsibility, accuracy, and neutrality.
Ilelah added, ”The commission, while reminding all broadcast stations by this release that they have a duty to promote sustainable democracy in nigeria, also warns that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to any erring station.”
Source: Lifestyle.ng | Read More from Lifestyle.ng
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