The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has vowed to shut down broadcast stations that broadcast programs that threaten national security and peaceful coexistence.
Malam Balarabe Ilelah, Director-General of NBC, issued the warning during a meeting with broadcast stations about coverage of the presidential, national assembly, gubernatorial, and state assembly elections.
“NBC is giving its last warning to broadcast stations and will not hesitate to shut or revoke the license of any when convinced that its activities are capable of undermining the peaceful co-existence of the country.
“Any further breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and Act will no longer be tolerated,’’ he warned.
He stated that the Commission monitored some broadcast stations’ coverage of the elections and was concerned that some of them gave unpatriotic individuals air time to make subversive, hateful, and inciting statements, particularly post-election.
He noted, however, that the coverage of the elections and post-election matters were “marred by unguarded statements, divisive and dangerous comments”.
In these troubling times, the NBC DG noted that the media has a role to play in ensuring national development by publishing or broadcasting narratives of national reconciliation and healing.
He urged broadcasters to refrain from promoting negative conversations that are not only harmful to democracy but also pose a threat to Nigeria’s corporate existence.
He acknowledged that using broadcast platforms to incite supporters or create enmity would not help in deepening the nation’s democracy.
“In as much as the Commission believes in the freedom of expression, it is also seriously constrained to act decisively on any broadcaster that exploits the fragile peace of our nation,’’ he stressed.
