Tobi Adebayo
The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed television and radio stations to stop giving details of bandits, terrorists in news reports.
The directive was issued in a letter dated July 7, 2021.
NBC directed radio and TV stations to stop “glamorising the nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits etc.”
The commission also directed that broadcast stations advise their guests/analysts not to use “divisive rhetoric in driving home points.”
“Headlines of most Newspapers on a daily basis are replete with security topics. While bringing information on security to the doorsteps of Nigerians is a necessity, there is a need for caution as too many details may have an adverse implication on the efforts of our security officials who are duty-bound to deal with the insurgency.
“The Commission, therefore, enjoins broadcasters to collaborate with the government in dealing with the security challenges by;
“Not glamorising the nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits etc.
“Advising guests and/or analysts on programmes not to polarise the citizenry with divisive rhetoric, in driving home their point.
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“Not giving details of either the security issues or victims of these security challenges so as not to jeopardise the efforts of the Nigerian soldiers and other security agents.
“The broadcaster shall not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the divisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.
“In reporting conflict situations, the broadcaster shall perform the role of a peace agent by adhering to the principle of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality,” the letter read in part.
