Polls: NBC Sanctions 25 Stations, Gives Final Warning to 16 Others

Polls: NBC Sanctions 25 Stations, Gives Final Warning to 16 Others

Kabir Abdulsalam

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sanctioned 25 broadcast stations for failing to adhere to extant broadcast law on the cverage of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Ilelah, disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja, on Tuesday.

16 broadcast stations were given final warnings for various infringements, he added.

Ilelah noted that some broadcast stations allowed their platforms to be used by some guests, callers and analysts to score unhealthy political points inimical to the nation’s corporate existence.

He said ethnic and religious profiling became awfully rampant; while invectives and counterblasts were thrown freely by guests on the platforms of broadcast stations at the detriment of Nigerians.

He also said subversive discussions and reckless comments capable of tearing Nigeria apart were broadcast freely without proper gatekeeping; and ethics and professionalism, thrown overboard.

Ilelah, who did not name the sanctioned stations, said 17 of them were sanctioned for Broadcast of Partisan Content during the 24 hours prior to election and one was sanctioned for announcing result before authorized returning officers made them public.

He said three stations were sanctioned for inciting comments while four others were sanctioned for divisive ethnic/religious content.

He urged all broadcasters to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the National Broadcasting Act during the Saturday’s governorship and state assembly polls.