2023 Polls: NBC sends message to broadcast media stations

…….All broadcast media outlets have been requested by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) not to announce election results prior to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The goal of the directive, according to Francisca Aiyetan, head of broadcast monitoring, is to make sure that the media supports a trustworthy voting process.

,,,,,,,Also, NBC requested that media outlets refrain from projecting or speculating on a candidate’s chances using votes cast at a polling place or results from exit surveys.

The commission mandated that all broadcast media outlets stop all partisan political programs and advertisements by Thursday in accordance with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

According to the statement, “The National Broadcasting Commission wishes to underscore the enormous responsibility trust on broadcasters at this time and therefore calls for strict adherence to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the Electoral Act in order to ensure sane airwave that will enable a free, fair, credible, and transparent election.”

,,,,,,The commission therefore urges broadcasters to take note of the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in order to comply fully: the broadcaster shall ensure that the broadcast of a partisan political campaign, jingle, announcement, or any other form of partisan party identification or symbol ends not later than twenty-four hours before election day.

The only exception, according to the statement, is when a government official may carry out an official duty within the 24-hour campaign restriction period, providing that neither the official nor the broadcaster exhibits partisan bias.

,,,,,,,According to the statement, the broadcaster “must not enable any political campaign or commercial on its facilities 24 hours prior to election day or on election day.”

“The broadcaster shall not forecast or speculate on the chances of a candidate using any vote acquired at a polling place or from an exit poll.

“The broadcaster shall only broadcast election results or the declaration of the winner as made public by the authorized election authority.

,,,,,,,Therefore, the broadcaster is hereby requested to end all partisan political programming by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Please take note!