BBC Bandits Documentary: NBC Fines DSTV, Startimes And TSTV 5 Million Naira Each

The National Broadcasting Commission fined Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV and Trust TV, five million naira on Wednesday for broadcasting documentaries that “glorified the activities of bandits and undermined national security in Nigeria.”

Both NTA-Startimes Limited and TelcCom Satellite Limited (TSTV) were fined five million naira.

“Today, August 3, 2022, the National Broadcasting Commission imposed a Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) sanction, each, on Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV, TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV); NTA-Startimes Limited; for the carriage of the documentary by the BBC AFRICA EYE titled, “BANDITS WARLORDS OF ZAMFARA,” a statement signed by NBC Director-General, Balarabe Shehu I

“Trust-TV Network Limited was also fined N5,000,000.00 for its documentary titled ‘NIGERIA’S BANDITRY-THE INSIDE STORY.’

“While appreciating the need to educate, inform, and enlighten the public on issues concerning developments and happenings within and outside the country, the Commission wishes to take this opportunity to advise broadcasters to be cautious and deliberate in the selection and carriage of contents detrimental to Nigeria’s national security.”

“As a result, the airing and distribution of these documentaries violated the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Sixth Edition, particularly the following Sections:

3.1.1: “No broadcast shall encourage or incite criminal behavior.” lead to public disorder or hatred, be repugnant to public feelings, or contain offensive references to any person or organization, living or dead, or be generally disrespectful to human dignity”

“The broadcaster shall not transmit a programme that incites or is likely to incite violence among the populace, resulting in mass panic, political and social upheaval, security breach, and general social disorder; and

“The Broadcaster shall ensure that law enforcement is maintained at all times in a manner that depicts law and order as socially superior to, or more desirable than, crime or anarchy.”

“The penalties imposed on these Broadcast Media platforms and Stations must be paid by August 30, 2022.” Failure to comply will result in the imposition of a more severe sanction as specified in the Code.

“Broadcasters are urged to be instruments of national unity and to refrain from engaging in antics such as using their platforms to promote

and glamorize subversive elements and their activities.

Please note that every Broadcast Station or platform is responsible for the Content it transmits or transmitted on its platform, and shall be held liable for any content in violation of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code”.