The Federal Government has suspended all reviews of broadcast licence charges till additional discover, amid complaints about rising prices raised by the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday throughout a courtesy go to by a BON delegation led by its Chairman, Senior High Chief Dr Tony Akiotu, in line with an announcement by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation.
The directive is a part of measures geared toward addressing the challenges going through Nigeria’s broadcasting business.
Broadcast licence fee assessment suspended
According to the assertion, the BON delegation had raised issues over the “rising cost of operating broadcast stations.”
Responding, the Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to making a extra conducive setting for the expansion and sustainability of the broadcasting business.
- “Any increase in licence fees is hereby put on hold. All reviews relating to licences are suspended until further notice. I am directing the NBC to ensure strict compliance while we review the situation,” he said.
The Minister additionally directed the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to expedite the assessment of the National Broadcasting Code to make sure that the regulatory framework stays conscious of developments and rising realities within the broadcasting business.
On the Digital Switch-Over (DSO), Idris assured the delegation that he would convene a stakeholders’ assembly to deal with excellent points.
Addressing BON’s request for the enforcement of the 45-day cost interval for promoting companies, Idris disclosed that he had already directed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to make sure the total implementation of the coverage.
He mentioned the Ministry would have interaction related stakeholders on issues surrounding entry to reasonably priced financing and spectrum allocation.
The Minister additional emphasised the vital function of broadcasting in strengthening democracy, selling nationwide cohesion and making certain that residents have entry to credible and correct data.
He additionally urged broadcasters to uphold the very best requirements of professionalism, equity and moral journalism, notably because the nation prepares for the 2027 common elections.
BON seeks entry to finance
- On his half, BON Chairman, Senior High Chief Dr Tony Akiotu, highlighted a number of challenges confronting the business, together with “the review of the National Broadcasting Code, broadcast licence fees, rising operational costs, access to financing, spectrum allocation and the implementation of the 45-day advertising payment period.”
- “BON believes in dialogue, consultation and mediation to prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony in the broadcasting industry,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to the Minister for his private intervention throughout the DSO launch and sought his continued help in addressing the challenges affecting members.
Backstory
Issues affecting the broadcasting business have up to now led to litigation.
- Recall that in 2022, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos stopped former President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from revoking the licences of 53 broadcast stations across the country and shutting them down over their alleged failure to resume their licences.
- The judgment adopted a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in opposition to Buhari and the NBC.
The plaintiffs requested the court docket to declare that Section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act, which the NBC relied on to threaten to revoke the licences of 53 broadcast stations and shut them down, was unconstitutional and illegal as a result of it violated freedom of expression.
At the time, the NBC had moved in opposition to 53 broadcast media organisations in Nigeria, revoking their licences and ordering them to close down inside 24 hours over alleged excellent licensing charges of greater than N2.6 billion courting again to 2015.
