The National Broadcasting Commission NBC has warned all broadcasters not to allow any form of hate speech , fake news or derogatory remarks broadcast on their platforms, as the 2023 general election campaign begins.
The Director General , National Broadcasting Commission, Mallam Balarabe Ilelah gave the warning at a forum on political broadcast, in Abuja.
Ilelah said broadcasters should guide their broadcast with the NBC Act, CAP N11 laws of the federation of Nigeria,2004, the Nigeria broadcasting code , the electoral Act, 2022 and other extant laws to avoid breaching the laws .
The DG stressed that broadcasters should thread with caution as the commission will ensure strict adherence to all extant laws , which he noted could attract fine in millions of naira , imprisonment or shut down of many erring broadcast station .
Also speaking, the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu urged the media to continue to fact check stories before it goes on air , as politics is an intensely partisan activity.
The theme of this year’s forum is “Towards a fair and Responsible broadcast coverage of the 2023 general election: A multi stakeholder dialogue”.
