NATIONAL: Report herdsmen crisis with caution or face sanctions, NBC warns broadcasters

THE National Broadcasting Commission has warned television and radio stations against heating up the polity with prejudiced and divisive reportage of national events.

The commission said this against the background of the recent notices to quit issued to Fulani herdsmen in certain communities in the South-West region of the country.

The warning is stated in a letter titled, ‘Broadcast of Crisis Involving Herdsmen, Caution’, and dated January 26, 2021.

The letter, which was sent to broadcasters nationwide, came on the heels of a popular Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho’s  insistence on purging Igangan, a community in Oyo State, and the South West in general, of Fulani herdsmen

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had also asked herdsmen in the state to vacate all forest reserves within a week.

The NBC, which is the regulator of the broadcast media, said there was a need for stations to uphold the ethics of the profession.

The letter read in part, “The National Broadcasting Commission wishes to bring to your attention emerging trends of national concern like the herdsmen crisis in Ondo and Oyo states and related issues which could spiral out of proportion if not properly handled.

“The commission therefore seizes this opportunity to admonish broadcasters on the need to exhibit professionalism and observe required caution in the coverage and presentation of the quit notice to herdsmen and related issues.”

The NBC reminded broadcasters of the rules governing coverage of crisis as well as the constitutional need to not only promote and protect the corporate existence of the country but the economic well-being of the Nigerian state.

It quoted Sections 5.4.1 (a, b&f) and 5.4.3 of the broadcast code.

Part of the section reads, “(Broadcasters) 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 NBC has in recent time come under fire for its stiff regulations which civil society groups say are at variance with democratic norms.

The commission had in October fined Channels Television, Arise TV and AIT for the manner with which it covered the #EndSARS protests.