Presidential election: NBC sanctions 25 stations, cautions 16 others

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sanctioned 25 radio and television stations for the contravention of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in their coverage of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections. Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, said 16 stations were also given final […]

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sanctioned 25 radio and television stations for the contravention of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in their coverage of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, said 16 stations were also given final warnings for their unprofessional conducts during the polls. 

He said some broadcast stations allowed their platforms to be used by some guests, callers and analysts to score unhealthy political points inimical to the nation’s corporate existence. 

He said ethnic and religious profiling became awfully rampant; while invectives and counterblasts were thrown freely by guests on the platforms of broadcast stations at the detriment of Nigerians. 

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He also said subversive discussions and reckless comments capable of tearing Nigeria apart were broadcast freely without proper gatekeeping; and ethics and professionalism, thrown overboard. 

Ilelah, who did not name the sanctioned stations, said 17 of them were sanctioned for Broadcast of Partisan Content during the 24 hours prior to election and one was sanctioned for announcing result before authorized returning officers made them public. 

He said three stations were sanctioned for inciting comments while four others were sanctioned for divisive ethnic/religious content. 

 He said 16 broadcast stations were given final warnings for various infringements. 

He urged all broadcasters to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the National Broadcasting Act during the Saturday’s governorship and state assembly polls.