NBC Sanctions 25 Broadcast Stations For ‘Announcing Election Results Before INEC, Other Infractions’

The Director General of the NNBCBC, Balarabe Ilelah, who disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday also warned broadcast stations to adhere strictly to its broadcast code, the Electoral Act as well as other extant laws governing the coverage and reportage of the 2023 general polls in the Saturday March 18, 2023 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has confirmed that it sanctioned 25 broadcast stations while 16 others were given final warning over the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections coverage.

The Director General of the NBC, Balarabe Ilelah, who disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday also warned broadcast stations to adhere strictly to its broadcast code, the Electoral Act as well as other extant laws governing the coverage and reportage of the 2023 general polls in the Saturday March 18, 2023 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

According to the NBC DG, one of the stations was sanctioned for broadcasting the results of the election before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially announced the results, saying that the action of the station contravened Section 5.33 of the NBC code.

Ilelah further explained that 17 stations were sanctioned for broadcasting partisan party content after the prescribed 24-hour stoppage time by NBC, while four stations were sanctioned for divisive comments.

It was reported on March 10 that the NBC also threatened to shut down any broadcast station that airs programmes that offend the peaceful co-existence in the country.

The NBC’s spokesman, Ekanem Antia, had stated that the Commission’s Director-General, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, issued a warning against such peace-threatening activities at a meeting with broadcast stations on the coverage of the 2023 general elections.

“The NBC is giving its last warning to broadcast stations and will not hesitate to shut or revoke the licence 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 had said.

According to him, the Commission monitored the coverage of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections by some broadcast stations and noted how they availed unpatriotic individuals their platforms to make subversive, hateful and inciting utterances, particularly post-election, it was reported.

The NBC spokesperson had further stated that the NBC DG however commended the media for their efforts in ensuring peaceful pre-election coverage, especially for their selfless service to keeping the citizens informed.