NBC Slams Fines On Radio Continental, Arewa Radio, Inspiration FM, 20 Others

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Lagos-based Radio Continental (MAX FM102.3), Arewa Radio, Kano and Inspiration FM were among 23 radio and television stations across Nigeria that have been fined for various breaches of broadcasting rules set by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC.

In a statement Wednesday by the broadcasting regulator, the stations were punished for infractions such as hateful speech, vulgar lyrics and unverifiable claims.

The NBC spokesperson, Ms Maimuna Jimada, said the breaches contravened the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in the third quarter of 2017.

For broadcasting hateful speech while on air, Family Love FM Port Harcourt was fined N200,000 on June 9, 2017; ABS FM Awka fined N100,000 on July 1, 2017; Express FM Radio Kano also fined N300,000 on September 12, September 16 and September 17, 2017.

For using indecent musicals, the NBC fined Royal FM Abuja (N100,000), Flo FM Umuahia (N100,000), Radio Continental (MAX FM) Lagos (N200,000) and Crystal 100.5FM Minna (N100,000).

For making unverifiable claims in their broadcast, the regulator punished with fines Crowther FM Abuja (N100,000), Harmony FM Abuja (N100,000), Inspirational FM Uyo (N100,000), BCA FM Umuahia (N150,000), ABS FM Awka (N100,000), Minaj Systems Radio Obosi (N100,000), IBC (Orient TV) Owerri (N50,000), Rainbow FM, Isheri (N100,000), Globe FM Bauchi (N100,000), Arewa Radio Kano (N100,000), EBS Radio Benin (N100,000) and Bond FM Lagos (N499,000).

According to the NBC, the contraventions were made between June and September this year and all the erring stations were fined according to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

Jimada said there will be higher sanctions if erring stations fail to comply with the fine.

“It is clearly stated in the code, if you are sanctioned this way and you don’t comply then you get a higher sanction. Everything is laid down in the code,” Ms. Jimada said.

She also said the payments will be made into the NBC account.

As part of efforts to stem the growing tide of hate speech in the country, the federal government in June directed the NBC, to sanction any radio or television station that broadcasts hate speech.

Also ahead of the forthcoming elections, the regulatory body said it will impose heavy sanctions on broadcast stations which promote hate speeches.