Ahead of the February polls, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has warned broadcast stations in the country not to broadcast results that are unofficially released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, or the returning officers.
Mrs. Franca Aiyetan, the Zonal Director of NBC, coordinating broadcasting stations in Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi and FCT, gave the warning yesterday during an interactive session with journalists in IIorin, the Kwara State capital.
She frankly said that all broadcast stations should avoid any form of speculative elections results so as not heighten the already tensed political situation in the country.
Aiyetan, who was previously a veteran in Radio Nigeria Abuja, threatened that the commission would not hesitate to sanction any media outfit who dares to violate the NBC Code or the Electoral Act.
She said, “Broadcasting stations should not sell out to politicians but rather abide strictly by the guiding principles of broadcasting as entrenched in the NBC code and allow politicians to play the game in accordance with the rules.”
She further beckoned on all media outfits to give registered political parties equal opportunities on air and ensure that all political jingles were produced in polite language, sensitizing the electorate on their Civic responsibilities.
Concerning the 2015 deadline for digitization of media stations as mandated, Aiyetan called on all broadcast stations and State Governments that were yet to key into it to do so without further delays.
She decried the slow pace of the process, warning that non-adherence will attract a total loss of signal and information blackout.
-Post Nigeria
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