NBC Slams Heavy Fine On 23 Broadcasting Stations

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fined 23 broadcasting stations for breaching the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

The broadcasting stations, of which are mostly radio, were fined a total of N2.849 million.

The NBC, in a statement signed by its Head, Public Affairs, Mrs Maimuna Jimada, on Wednesday in Lagos, said the sanctions were for breaches in the third quarter of 2017.

Jimada said the breaches includes hateful speech, vulgar lyrics and unverifiable claims, adding that the fines were in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

“The commission wishes to remind broadcasters that they have a duty to promote the socio-economic well-being of the Nigerian state and abide strictly by the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code or face sanctions.”

For the “Use Of Hateful Speech”; Family Love FM, Uyo, was fined N200,000, ABS FM, Enugu-N100,000, Express FM Radio, Kano, N100,000. The latter was also fined twice later for similar infractions.

On the “Use Of Indecent Musicals”; Royal FM, Abuja was fined N100,000, FLO FM, Enugu-N100,000, Radio Continental, Lagos-N200,000, Crystal 100.5FM, Abuja-N100,000.

For “Unverifiable Claims”, a fine of N100,000 was meted on Crowther FM, Abuja, Harmony FM, Abuja-N100,000, Inspiration FM, Uyo-N100,000, BCA FM, Enugu-N150,000, ABS, Enugu-N100,000, Minaj Systems Radio, Enugu-N100,000 and IBC (Orient TV) Enugu N50,000.

Others are Rainbow FM, Ibadan-N100,000, Globe FM, Jos-N100,000, Arewa Radio, Kaduna-N100,000, EBS Radio, Benin-N100,000 and Bond FM, Lagos-N499,000.

ITV, Jos was fined N100,000, while IBC (Orient TV), Enugu was sanctioned N50,000 for “Voicing and Unprofessional Broadcast”.