By; NICHOLAS DEKERA, Kaduna
Kaduna Zonal Director, National Broadcasting Commission, Jamilu Yahaya Jega on Wednesday, reiterated the commission’s resolve to intensify understanding of media ethics among journalists.
Presenting a lead paper at a two-day workshop for Kaduna media practitioners, organized by Mercy Corps and Interfaith Mediation Centre, Jega revealed that, “the NBC will intensify its efforts at increasing understanding on the ethics in the journalism profession in Nigeria’s broadcast media space.”
According to him, the NBC’s addendum to the 6th edition was launched on March 26, 2020 and clearly sets out objectives of broadcasting under section 0.2.2 which calls on broadcasting organizations to recognize that, “they exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or sectional rights, privileges and needs of their own, or of their proprietors, relatives, friends or supporters”.
The Zonal Director pointed out that, “the section specified that broadcasting in Nigeria shall meet the social, political, economic cultural and technological objectives of the country. These objectives are what the NBC is profusely trying to achieve. Every broadcaster will do well to acquaint themselves with the spirit and letter of the Code. It will minimize frictions with the regulator.
“As the country faces existential security challenges which threaten its peaceful Corporate existence, some section of our broadcasters avail their platforms to unscrupulous elements to fan the embers of hatred and disunity in gross violation of the objectives of broadcasting. “
He said, “several instances abound where broadcasters were found to provocatively adulate and hype the activities of bandits and other heinous criminal acts.
Banditry, insurgency, cattle-rustling, farmer-herder clashes, kidnappings, youth restiveness, crimes and other social vices are among the numerous security challenges we face and some media outfits which have a role to play in curtailing them sometimes show indifference or at worst aggravate the situation.
“Some broadcasters fall prey of fake news and hate speeches which have attendant consequences on the security of the country.”Jega revealed.
