Stop Glamourising Terrorist Activities, NBC Cautions Broadcast Stations
Mojisola Lawal
The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has cautioned television and radio stations to desist from glamorising nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists and bandits in their daily bulletin news.
The commission in a letter issued on July 7, 2021 directed broadcast stations to advise their guests/analysts not to use divisive rhetoric in driving home points.
“Headlines of most Newspapers on a daily basis are replete with security topics. 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.
The letter reads in part, “The Commission, therefore, enjoins broadcasters to collaborate with the government in dealing with the security challenges by;
“Not glamorising the nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits etc.
“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.
“The broadcaster shall not transmit 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,” the letter read in part.
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