By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has asked broadcast stations not to disclose details of attacks by bandits and insurgents in their reports.
The regulatory body conveyed this in a letter dated July 7, 2021, signed by its Director of Broadcast and Monitoring, Francisca Aiyetan, on behalf of the Director General of NBC, Balarabe Ilelah.
The letter entitled: ‘Newspaper Reviews And Current Affairs Programmes: A Need For Caution’, warned radio and television stations not to “glamourise the nefarious activities of insurgents, bandits and kidnappers” in their reports.
In the document, the commission advised broadcasters to be cautious in their reportage, warning that sharing “many details” of such attacks may have an adverse effect on the efforts of the Nigerian security agencies.
The NBC noted that “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 glamourising 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.
“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 NBC urged broadcast stations to be guided by Sections 5.4.1(f) and 5.4.3 of the NBC Code in their operations.
The quoted sections provides that: “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.”