The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced the indictment of no fewer than 25 broadcast stations over alleged announcement of unofficial results of the Presidential election, held on February 25 thereby creating infractions of the law.
The NBC’s Director General, Balarabe Ilelah, who spoke to news men at a news conference yesterday, March 15, said that the affected stations were sanctioned in the course of monitoring the 2023 presidential and parliamentary polls, while 16 stations have been given a “final warning.”
According to him, one station was sanctioned for broadcasting the results of the election before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results which contravened Section 5 (33) of the NBC Code.
He said that 17 stations were sanctioned for broadcasting partisan party content after the prescribed 24-hour stoppage time by NBC, while four stations have been sanctioned for divisive comments.
Balarabe Ilelah cautioned broadcast stations to adhere strictly to its broadcast code, the Electoral Act as well as other extant laws governing the coverage and reportage of the 2023 general polls.
The DG stressed the need for broadcast stations to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
