2023: FG cautions broadcast stations on fake news

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Federal Government has advised broadcast stations against allowing their platforms be used to blackmail people. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Balarabe Shehu Illela gave the advice in Abuja on Tuesday at the 76th General Assembly of Broadcasting […]

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Federal Government has advised broadcast stations against allowing their platforms be used to blackmail people.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Balarabe Shehu Illela gave the advice in Abuja on Tuesday at the 76th General Assembly of Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON). 

The theme of the event was ‘Bringing Society Together with Vibrant Digital Media Services.’

The minister, represented by Ayo Adewuyi of the Nigerian Television Authority, urged the media to adhere strictly to the rules as stipulated in the NBC Code and other statues, including the newly passed Electoral Act. 

“The broadcast media should help in combating the menace of fake news by disseminating correct information to the public and provide necessary feedback from the public to the government.”

Illela asked stations to “desist from encouraging and allowing the use of their platforms for fake news, hate, provocative and speculative broadcasts.” 

He warned that the NBC would not hesitate to sanction any violation of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.