The National Broadcasting Commission has fined Nigeria Info 99.3FM, for what it tagged unprofessional conduct in the handling of the Programme, “Morning Cross Fire”, aired on August 10, 2020, between 8.30 am and 9.00 am.

According to the statement released by the commission, the station provided its platform for the guest, Dr Mailafia Obadiah, to promote unverifiably and inciting views that could encourage or incite to crime and lead to public disorder.

Reacting to the unacceptable act, the Commission categorically emphasize that no Broadcast Station should be used, to promote personal or sectional interests at the expense of the people.

“NBC wishes to reiterate that Broadcasters hold Licenses in trust for the people. Therefore, no Broadcast Station should be used, to promote personal or sectional interests at the expense of the people”

The commission says

Dr Mailafia Obadia’s comments on the “Southern Kaduna Crisis”, were devoid of facts and by broadcasting same to the public, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, is in violation of the following sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code:

In a bid to clear the air on what the broadcasting code says, the commission highlighted the information contained in broadcasting code as follows;

3.1.1           No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime, lead to public disorder or hate,   be repugnant to public feelings or contain an offensive reference to any person or organization, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity;

3.1.2        Broadcasting shall promote human dignity, therefore, hate speech is prohibited;

3.3.1 (a) The broadcaster shall ensure that any information given in a programme, in whatever form, is accurate;

3.3.3.1(b)    The Broadcaster shall ensure that all sides to any issue of public

interest are equitably presented for fairness and balance;

3.11.1(a)     The broadcaster shall ensure that language or scene likely to   encourage or incite to crime, or lead to disorder, is not broadcast;

3.11.1(b)    No programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of constituted authority or compromises the unity or corporate existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state;

5.4.1(f)       The Broadcaster shall not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.

Consequent on these provisions and in line with the amendment of the 6thedition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Nigeria Info 99.3FM Lagos, has been fined the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), only.

This is expected to serve as a deterrent to all other broadcast stations in Nigeria who are quick to provide platform for subversive rhetoric and the expositions of spurious and unverifiable claims, to desist from such.

Furthermore, the Commission added that it will not hesitate to suspend the Broadcast Licence of broadcast stations that continue to breach the Code.

It further advised stations to desist forthwith, from airing unwholesome content, or be ready to face appropriate  sanctions.