2023 Elections: NBC Warns Broadcasters against “Making Volatile Allusions”

National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters against “making volatile allusions capable of causing unrest in the country.”

The broadcast regular, in a statement by Balarabe Shehu Ilelah,  its director-general, reminded 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.

“The Commission has observed that some Guests on Broadcast stations are making volatile allusions capable of causing unrest in the country,” the Director-General stated.

“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,’” Ilelah stated.

While further reminding all broadcast stations that they have a duty to promote sustainable democracy in the country, NBC also warned that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to any erring station that operates outside the confines of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

“The Commission enjoins all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their platforms and facilities to be used for the broadcast of contents that may lead to the breakdown of law and order.

“Therefore, Broadcasters shall perform the role of peace agents by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality,” Ilelah also said.