The meeting, held on Thursday 18th April 2024 at Vichi Gate Hotel and Suites Benin City, featured paper presentations and an interactive session.
In his welcome address, the Director General, NBC, Mr. Charles Ebuebu represented by Mrs. Glotia Makinde, Director, Broadcast Monitoring, underscores a critical aspect of media responsibility, especially during times as sensitive as election periods.
His emphasis on integrity, accuracy, and impartiality reflects a commitment to journalistic principles that are essential for fostering a healthy democracy. By urging broadcasters to engage in fact-checking and verify the accuracy of claims made by candidates, he’s advocating for a media landscape that prioritizes truth over sensationalism or misinformation.
Educating the public on political issues and electoral processes is crucial for ensuring that citizens are well-informed and capable of making informed decisions at the ballot box. This highlights the role of the media as an educator and facilitator of democratic participation.
Moreover, Mr. Ebuebu’s call for broadcasters to uphold ethical standards as outlined in relevant regulations and laws underscores the importance of accountability within the media industry. Sensationalism and inflammatory rhetoric can undermine public trust and contribute to polarization, so his emphasis on responsible reporting is particularly timely.
Overall, Mr. Ebuebu’s address sets a standard for broadcasters to follow in their coverage of elections, emphasizing the importance of integrity, accuracy, and ethical conduct in fulfilling their role as purveyors of information in a democratic society.
In his paper presentation, Dr. Chibuike Ogwumike, Director, Investigation and Enforcement, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, while speaking on the ‘Code as a guiding principle for political broadcast’, pointed out that the Code contains the universal standard of broadcasting with specific applications to Nigeria.
He added, that in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code sets standards for political broadcast in Nigeria. This, he said, is due to the peculiar nature of politics which necessitates the need to pay specific attention to political broadcast.
Dr. Chibuike further noted that the broadcaster shall carry out its civic responsibility of broadcasting all aspects of political enlightenment. Adding, that political advertisements shall be guided by relevant laws and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The Director, Investigation and Enforcement therefore, called on broadcasters to freely sell airtime to all political parties for the purpose of campaigns, while, adhering to the rules guiding the sale of airtime during electioneering.
Concluding his paper, Dr. Ogwumike, urged broadcast practitioners to ensure that political campaign jingles are devoid of hate messages, therefore, reminding broadcasters to remain professional in the discharge of their duties.
In the same vein, the Director, Broadcast Monitoring, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Mrs. Gloria Makinde, has urged broadcasters to ensure accuracy in their reports at all times.
In her presentation, she noted that the media plays an indispensable role in shaping the democratic process, particularly in the context of elections. Emphasizing that the media is the powerhouse with great influence.
Mrs. Makinde also added that the broadcast media has the right to hold politicians accountable, while, providing essential information to voters.
The Director, Broadcast Monitoring, further urged broadcast stations to allow political parties make use of their facilities and ensure they keep a log for this purpose.
She added that broadcasters should at all times ensure accuracy in their reportage while adhering to journalistic principles.
In conclusion, Mrs. Gloria Makinde, noted that transparent reporting is key to bringing trust to the audience.
