The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 imposed a five million naira fine on MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV and Trust TV.
NTA-Startimes Limited and TelcCom Satellite Limited (TSTV) were also fined five million naira each.
This was for broadcasting documentaries it said glorified the activities of bandits; while also undermining national security in Nigeria.
The sanctions were communicated in a statement issued by NBC Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah.
The NBC noted, “The National Broadcasting Commission, today, August 3, 2022, imposed a Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) sanction; each, on MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV; TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV); NTA- Startimes Limited; for the carriage of the documentary by the BBC AFRICA EYE titled, “BANDITS WARLORDS OF ZAMFARA.
“Trust-TV Network Limited was also fined Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) for its documentary titled: ‘NIGERIA’S BANDITRY-THE INSIDE STORY’.
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Further, the NBC stated that while it appreciates the need of educating, informing; as well as enlightening the public on issues bordering on developments and happenings within and outside Nigeria; it advises broadcasters to be circumspect and deliberate in the choice and carriage of contents deleterious to Nigeria’s national security.
“Consequently, the airing and carriage of these documentaries, contravened the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Sixth edition; especially, the underlisted Sections:
3.1.1: “No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime. lead to public disorder or hate, be repugnant to public feelings or contain offensive reference to any person or organization, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity”;
3.12.2: “The broadcaster shall not transmit a programme that incites or likely to incite to violence among the populace, causing mass panic, political and social upheaval, security breach and general social disorder; and
3.11.2: “The Broadcaster shall ensure that law enforcement is upheld at all times in a manner depicting that law and order are socially superior to, or more desirable than crime or anarchy.”
“The imposed penalties on these Broadcast Media platforms and Station is to be remitted not later than August 30, 2022. Failure to comply with this will lead to the imposition of a higher sanction as provided in the Code.
“Broadcasters are enjoined to be instruments of National unity and desist from falling into antics of using their platforms to promote and glamorize subversive elements and their activities.
“Please note that every Broadcast Station or platform is responsible for the Content it transmits or transmitted on its platform, and shall be held liable for any content in violation of the NBC.”
