The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters covering and reporting on the 2023 election not to violate the existing provisions of the electoral law and the Broadcasting Code.
The Director General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, issued the warning in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Ilelah said, the commission observed that some guests on the broadcasting station made destabilizing allusions that could lead to unrest in the country.
Therefore, he asked all broadcasters not to use or allow their platforms and facilities to be used to broadcast content that could lead to violations of law and order.
The NBC boss also warned that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to errant stations operating outside the boundaries of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
He said: “NBC reminds all broadcasters covering and reporting on the 2023 General Election to endeavor to comply with the extant provisions of the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, and other relevant regulations that guide the broadcasting of elections in Nigeria.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Code advises broadcasters in the following Sections:
” 5.3.3(k) not use votes obtained at polling stations or from exit polls to project or speculate about possible candidates;
” 5.3.3 (l) transmit the results of the election or the declaration of the winner only as declared by the authorized election official for the election.
“NBC ACT CAP N11, Law of the Federation, 2004, also prescribes, in the third Schedule 12(6) that, “A licensee will be responsible for the content of the Broadcast Station.”
He also emphasized the need for broadcasters to play their role as agents of peace by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.
Ilelah added: “The commission, while reminding all broadcasting stations with this release that they have a duty to promote sustainable democracy in Nigeria, also warned that appropriate sanctions will be meted out to offending stations.”