The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has ordered radio and television stations in Nigeria not to report full details of attacks by bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents.
NBC further explained the reason for this recent directive was to avoid jeopardizing the efforts of the Nigerian soldiers and other security agents in their pursuit of rescuing victims.
According to a letter dated July 7 which was signed by Francisca Aiyetan, director of broadcast monitoring, the NBC directed radio and television stations not to glamourize the nefarious activities of insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers in their newspapers reports and news stories.
According to The Cable, the letter was titled ‘Newspaper Reviews And Current Affairs Programmes: A Need For Caution’, and was signed on behalf of Balarabe Ilelah, director-general of NBC.
The letter partly reads;
“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 glamourizing the nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, etc.
“Advising guests and/or analysts on programs 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 jeopardize the efforts of the Nigerian soldiers and other security agents.”
NBC also emphasized the provisions of sections 5.4.1(f) and 5.4.3 of the NBC Code to broadcast stations which state; “The broadcaster shall not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the divisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.”
