By Hammed Shittu in Ilorin.
As the 2019 general election draws nearer, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasting stations in the country against airing hate speeches. The NBC, however, said that, stiff penalty like the closure awaits any radio and television station that indulge in such act. The Director General of NBC, Mallam Modibbo Ishaq Kawu gave the warning in Ilorin, Kwara State while featuring on ” Media Parliament” organised by the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of journalists( NUJ).
Kawu said that the agency will not hesitate to clamp down on any broadcasting station that violates the ethics of broadcasting. The programme was with the theme : †Digitisation of Broadcast: The Place of Nigeria.â€
The NBC boss condemned the rampant cases of hate speeches and campaigns by some media organisations, adding that, “NBC is committed to engendering national peace and unity through broacsting.”
He disclosed plans by NBC to carry out a digital mapping of the country in January, 2018. According to him, the agency has engaged the services of a foreign firm to carry out the exercise.
Kawu said the commission was working hard to create national digital economy, adding that four more states would be switched over in January, next year.
According to him, Nigeria is doing well in its digital switch over (DSO)process among other countries in the African continent.
The DG explained that the DSO would assist in entrenching growth of the economy and create job opportunities for the teeming youths. Kawu added that the DSO would strengthen the nation’s democracy and free press in the country.
Earlier, the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Biodun Abdulkareem had explained that the Media Parliament was to provide platform for journalists to interact with guests on topical issues.
