NBC pushing to silence independent media and voices – SERAP reacts
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has slapped a fine of N3 million each on for alleged violation of broadcasting code during their coverage of #ENDSARS protests.
The acting director general of the NBC, Prof Armstrong Idachaba who announced the fine at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, stated that the three broadcast houses were guilty of playing a part in the escalation of the violence across Nigeria and therefore fined in line with the provisions of section 5.6.9 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which states that “the broadcaster shall be held liable for any breach of the Code emanation from the use of material from User Generated Sources”.
He said the sanction would serve as a deterrent to broadcasters who deliberately ignore to verify stories before they broadcast.
He said the commission was pained about what he called the unprofessional conduct of some broadcasting stations in the past days.
Idachaba also said although the broadcast media discharged their roles professionally and most patriotic in confronting the challenge of #Covid-19 crisis, the same could not be said of the coverage of the recent #EndSARS campaign.
He specifically accused Channels Television, Arise TV and AIT of continuous transmission of footages obtained from unverified and unauthenticated social media sources, which according to him stimulated anger and heightened the violence that was witnessed during the crisis.
He said reports available to the NBC indicated that the broadcast industry largely gave a fair and balanced coverage to the issues at the early stages of the conflict but the trend became completely reversed when violence, wanton destruction and looting were added to the dimensions.
Given the impact of modern technology which enables citizen to contribute to journalism, Idachaba noted that such technological benefits place further demand on the broadcaster to be more cautious of its editorial responsibility.
“The NBC is concerned about the professional misdemeanour of some broadcasting stations in the past couple of days. Whereas it can be said that the Nigerian Media especially the Broadcast media discharged its role professionally and most patriotic in confronting the challenge of #Covid-19 Crisis, the same cannot be said of the coverage of the recent #Endsars campaign.
‘‘Monitoring reports available to the Commission indicate that indeed at the early stages of the conflict the broadcast industry largely gave a Fair and Balanced coverage to the issues. This trend became completely reversed when violence, wonton destruction and looting were added to the dimensions.
‘‘Perhaps in the eagerness to break News and be Pace Setters stations engaged in the very unprofessional attitude of speculative and unverifiable broadcast. This is in spite of the following provisions the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which provides as follows; “5.6.1: In Contemporary times, the impact of modern technology has significantly enabled Citizen’s contribution to journalism, which are beneficial to broadcasting. In this genre of citizens reportage, deploys such facilities as “User Generated Content” UGC, providing instantaneous eye-witness Account of events.
“Such technological benefits place further demand on the broadcaster to be more cautious of its editorial responsibility; 5.6.2: news materials sent in by public must be vetted by a broadcaster who has editorial responsibility; “5.6.3 The Broadcaster shall be mindful of materials that may embarrass individuals or organisations or cause disaffection, incite to panic or rift in the Society, in the usage of UGC.
‘‘We believe that the whole country has now seen why the spurious and recklessness on the social media must not be patronised by the mainstream traditional media.
“Broadcasters who therefore dogmatically patronise the social media must bury their heads in shame.’’
‘‘In line with the provisions of section 5.6.9 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which states that; “the broadcaster shall be held liable for any breach of the Code emanation from the use of material from User Generated Sources.
“The Commission has therefore sanctioned Arise TV, Channels TV and AIT in line with the provisions of the Broadcasting Code. This is to serve as deterrent to broadcasters who deliberately ignore to verify stories before they broadcast.’’
However, Idachaba condemned in strong terms the assault and intimidation of media houses during the period, and described the burning of TVC Lagos, the brief closure of Channels TV Lagos as worrisome and indicators of mob threat to the freedom of the press.
The NBC chief added that no nation can grow when the citizens muzzle and intimidate its press.
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the NBC to withdraw what it described as “illegal fines” on the television stations or face legal action.
SERAP said in a statement by its deputy director Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare said NBC was trying to muzzle independent media organisations.
“This action by the NBC is yet another example of Nigerian authorities’ push to silence independent media and voices. NBC should drop the fines and uphold Nigerian constitution and international obligations to respect and protect freedom of expression and media freedom. We will sue the NBC if the unconstitutional fines are not rescinded within 48 hours.
“This is a new low in Nigeria’s protection of freedom of expression, and the ability of independent media to function in the country. The fines are detrimental to media freedom, and access to information and the NBC must immediately withdraw the decision.
“Media freedom and media plurality are a central part of the effective exercise of freedom of expression and access to information. The ability to practice journalism free from undue interference, to cover peaceful protests, and critical views are crucial to the exercise of many other rights and freedoms.
“The media has a vital role to play as ‘public watchdog’ in imparting information of serious public concern and should not be inhibited or intimidated from playing that role. The NBC should stop targeting and intimidating independent media and voices.
“President Muhammadu Buhari should caution the NBC to stop intimidating and harassing independent media houses and to respect the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” SERAP stated.
