The Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed has tasked media practitioners in the Country to adhere strictly to the rules of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) code and other statue, including the newly passed Electoral Act.
Mohammed made the call at the 76th General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) with Braodcasting and Digital Media Convention with the theme: “Bringing Society Together with Vibrant Digital Media Services”
The programme was organized by BON in collaboration with Broadcast Media Africa and Multichoice on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, now that the politicking has started prelude to the 2023 general election, the media, as the fourth estate of the realm must adhere strictly to the rules.
He also urged the media to help in combating the menace of fake news by disseminating correct information to the public and provide necessary feedback from the public to government.
He commended the efforts of BON partnering with NBC and other major stakeholders in ensuring digital migration that would be beneficial to the Nigerian public.
“I am sure that this digital convention will bring to the front burner the essence of partnership by all stakeholders and industry players on achieving a collective digital migration.
“I therefore want to call on BON and other stakeholders to come up with suggestions that would continue to assist in analogue switch off.
“On our side, we will continue to use the instrument of government to ensure quality process and provision of necessary legal framework that will ensure the growth of media industry.’’
The Minister appealed to the media industry to continue to provide accurate and verified information that would promote the unity of the country and deepen her democracy.
NBC Director-General, Mal. Balarabe IleIah, said that the convention on digitalization was apt and commended the organisers for the initiative.
Ilelah also appreciated the intervention and leadership of government on the lingering indebtedness of the licenses and other legal fees of broadcasters to the commission.
He said that the appeal for more time to be given for debt payment by BON yielded some positive results, as some stations took advantage of the Commission’s deadline extension for settlement of their outstanding license fee.
“However, other stations remained adamant to all the entreaties offered over time by the Commission.
“The Commission is now left with no other option, but to publish the names of the indebted stations immediately.
“Another task ahead of us is to ensure a successful election, we must make sure that the process is conducted as it is enshrined in the Constitution.’’
Ilelah said that regardless of the challenges of the new media and related issues, media houses must ensure responsive professionalism in their operations and conduct.
He urged all broadcast stations not to allow their platforms to be used as a tool of sabotage, but for enhancing democratic gains, not blackmail, intimidation or hate speech and fake news.
“Stations are warned to desist from encouraging and allowing the use of their platforms for fake news, hate provocative statements and speculative broadcasting.
“The Commission will not hesitate to sanction any violator of the NBC code,”he said.
According to Ilelah, the code has extensive provisions on balanced and fair coverage of political campaign of all contestants, therefore compliance is non-negotiable.
He assured of the commission’s continuous support, resolve and the desire to ensure conducive broadcast operation before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The BON Chairman , John Ugbe,said that the importance and significance of digital switch over in Nigeria could not be overemphasised because of its impact on the lives of Nigerians both as broadcasters and as citizens.
Ugbe said it was therefore mandatory and crucial milestone to totally embrace it.
“It is our conviction that a successful broadcast digital migration will be highly beneficial to all stakeholders and most importantly the public,’’he said.
He commended the NBC and Minister of Information on the strides they took towards digitalising the nation, adding that, “we are glad it is on course and keen to witness its completion.
“The world is a global village and we have brought together an array of technical experts and professionals in the industries, including regulators from within and outside the country.
“This is to share knowledge and experiences geared towards enhancing digital migration that will be sustained and will meet public expectations and aspiration.’’
Ugbe said that BON members were already digital, adding that there was need to cooperate and work together to ensure 100 per cent digitalisation in Nigeria.
This, he said was in order to jointly enjoy increased capacity, content and information.
He added that the sooner broadcasters were digitally unified, the sooner they would all reap the countless benefits.
He said that NBC would conduct broadcast trainings for BON members and the first in the series of the training was set to take place from March 28 to April 1.
He said that the five-day training programme would focus on various aspect of production, such as producing for television, multi camera producers, media operations, among others.
