Warns TV online, other broadcast stations to register or risk disconnection
Hand over temporary licenses to 67 newly licensed stations
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given 30 days to foreign broadcasters that have offices in Nigeria and transmit signals to the country for registration.
The Commission also asked all Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and all other broadcast stations that stream online to register with the Commission to avoid being judged and prosecuted.
The Director General of NBC, Mallam Balarabe Ilelah who gave the warning while handing over provisional licenses to 67 newly approved licensees yesterday in Abuja, said Broadcasters should note that, having a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) or FM license does not guarantee broadcasters to stream online as both different licenses.
Ilelah stated that NBC has decided to collaborate with security agencies to clamp down on illegal broadcasters in the country and warned licensees who have not paid their debts to pay quickly or their licenses will be revoked due to illegal broadcasting.
He observed that the refusal to pay the license fee was economic sabotage and the Commission had no choice but to cooperate with the security and anti-corruption agencies to redeem the debt.
The NBC leader noted that the approval of 67 additional licenses by President Muhammadu Buhari is a testimony that the President is eager for media pluralism and freedom of expression and called on the new licensees to complement the gesture by promoting the values of democracy, national unity and culture. heirloom.
He said, “You are also required to reciprocate the gesture by using the license within the allotted time and act responsibly and in compliance with the Act, Code and other laws that guide broadcasting in Nigeria. Pay attention to maintaining the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria through your broadcast.
This is in addition to promoting and supporting Nigeria’s diverse culture by ensuring a variety of program content for the widest possible audience in Nigeria. But the most important thing is to promote Nigerian content and encourage the production and projection of Nigerian life, so try to get 100% local content”.
Ilelah pointed out that part of the requirement to start test transmission now is for the new licensees to send their staff for training at the newly established Broadcast Institute of Nigeria.