Olawale Ajimotokan
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed broadcast stations in the country against reporting details of attacks perpetrated by bandits, kidnappers and insurgents.
The NBC Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Francisca Aiyetan gave the order in a letter to broadcast stations.
She said most of the daily headlines of most Nigerian newspapers were replete with security topics.
She added that some of the topics analysed during daily newspaper reviews had ethnic stereotyping which pitches “one section of the country against the other and leave Nigerians in daily hysteria.”
“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,” she said.
The NBC urged broadcasters to tether with caution in their report, noting that the tendency of giving out too many details may compromise the efforts of the military and other security agencies to curb insecurity.
In the letter, it cautioned broadcast stations to always be guided by provisions of sections 5.4.1(f) and 5.4.3 of the NBC Code which frowns against the broadcast of 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.
Aiyetan enjoins broadcasters to collaborate with government in addressing the worsening security challenges in the country by toning down the slant on the criminal elements behind the spate of kidnapping, insurgency, banditry and terrorism.
“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,” she said.
