Contentious Broadcasting Code Rips NBC, Board Chairman Apart
Armstrong
Idachaba, acting director-general (DG) of the National Broadcasting Commission
(NBC), has disowned a call for position papers on the amendments to the 6th
edition of the country’s broadcasting code by the board of the commission.
Ikra
Bilbis, chairman of the commission’s board, had in a notice called for the
papers on the amendments over concerns he said were raised by stakeholders.
“The
board of the National Broadcasting Commission sat to review the various
positions and resolved that fresh invitations be extended to all stakeholders
in the industry especially those with genuine observations aimed at improving
the quality of Broadcasting in Nigeria,” the notice issued by Salihu Bamidele
Aluko, a lawyer, on behalf of Bilbis read.
“Position
papers in respect of the proposal amendments should please be submitted to
reach the following e-mail addresses not later than 9th of July, 2020.”
But
in a notice on Monday, Idachaba said the call by the board for submission of
position papers did not have the endorsement of the commission.
The
acting DG said the amendments are final because they have gone through the
“necessary processes” and that anyone wishing to make an input should wait
until the next review of the code.
“The
amendment to the 6th Edition of the Code, we must reiterate, is consequent to
the presidential approval for the reform of the National Broadcasting
Commission,” he said.
“The
amendments went through the necessary processes culminating in a public
presentation to critical stakeholders on the 26th of March, 2020, at L’eola
Hotel, Lagos.
“The
amendment, as released, is therefore final. Any group wishing to make further
inputs will exercise such views at the next Review of the Code.”
Some of
the amendments to the code are registration of web/online broadcasting services
and restriction of exclusive contents on platforms.
Also,
broadcast content must have 75 percent input from Nigerians. The code provides
for sub-licensing of all broadcast contents as well.
The
NBC is made up of a board of commissioners appointed by the president as a
policy-making body. The DG of the commission is a member of the board.
FROM The Cable
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