NBC Sanctions 22 Broadcasting Stations

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The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on October 31, 2017 released a list of 22 broadcasting stations sanctioned for breaching various provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code between June and September 2017.

The stations were sanctioned for various offences including ‘use of hateful speech’, ‘use of indecent musicals’, broadcasting ‘unverifiable claims’ and ‘voicing  and unprofessional broadcast’.

The broadcasting stations reportedly contravened the rules on the use of hate speech, the use of indecent musicals, voicing and unprofessional broadcast as well as unverifiable claims. The NBC fined the ‘erring’ stations according to the provisions of Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

Maimuna Jimada Head, Public Affairs ‎National Broadcasting Commission
Maimuna Jimada
Head, Public Affairs
‎National Broadcasting Commission

The Commission, through its head of public affairs Mrs. Maimuna Jimada, stated that broadcasters have a duty to promote the socio-economic well-being of the Nigerian state and abide strictly by the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code or face sanctions.

The 22 stations were fined for violating four categories of the NBC codes.

Three radio stations were sanctioned for broadcasting ‘hate speech’ and fined between N100,000 and N200,000 including   Family Love, FM Port Harcourt; Anambra Broadcasting Service FM, Awka. The third station, Express FM Radio, Kano was fine three times for the same offence.

Another set of four radio stations were sanctioned for alleged ‘use of indecent musicals’ and fined between N100,000 and N500,000 as follows: Royal FM, Ilorin; Flo FM, Umuahia; Radio Continental, Lagos; and Crystal 100.5fM, Minna.

Ten radio stations were sanctioned for alleged broadcast of ‘unverifiable claims and fined between N100,000 and N499,000.00. Those in this category include Crowther FM, Abuja; Harmony (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria) FM, Idofian; Inspiration FM, Uyo; BCA FM, Umuahia; Anambra Broadcasting Service, Awka; and Minaj Systems Radio, Obosi.

Other stations sanctioned for the same offence include Rainbow FM, Isheri; Globe FM, Bauchi; Arewa Radio, Kano; Edo Broadcasting Service Radio, Benin City; and Bond FM, lagos.

Two television stations were sanctiond for ‘voicing and unprofessional broadcasts’. The Imo Broadcasting Television (Orient TV) in Owerri was fined N50,000 while ITV Jalingo was fined N100,000.