2023 elections: FG tasks broadcasters on fake news

Federal Government on Tuesday solicited the support of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in combating the menace of fake news as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the charge in Abuja, during the opening ceremony of Digital Media Convention and 76th General Assembly of Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria.

While urging the Media on the need to disseminate correct information to the public and provide necessary feedback from the public to the government, the Minister appealed “to the media to continue providing accurate and verified information that will promote the unity of our country and deepen our democracy.

“Now that the politicking has started prelude to the 2023 general election, the Media as the fourth estate of the realm must adhere strictly to the rules as stipulated in NBC code and other statue including the newly passed Electoral Act.

“The Broadcast Media should help in combating the menace fake news by disseminating correct information to the public and provide necessary feedback from the public to the government.”

While speaking on the journey to digital migration with the release of the Federal Government White Paper on digitization in 2012, the Minister who was represented by Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, observed that the practical digitization in Nigeria which commenced with Buhari’s Government in 2016 in Jos Plateau State, has successfully been launched in 6 other States namely: Lagos, Kwara, Osun, Enugu, Kano and FCT.

According to him, “all things being equal, Port Harcourt Digital switchover will take place before the end of April, 2022.”

While noting that digital switchover is capital intensive which demands for government and private investors partnership, he observed that Federal Government has committed enormous resources in funding of Sustainable and successful analogue switchover.

“All over the world, where Digital migration had been carried out successfully, they have employed the full participation of the private sector to drive it.

“Recently, the Federal Ministry of Information led other stakeholders to galvanize a funding process from the private sector which we believe will help to fast track the digitization of other States that we have not reached.

“The benefits of digitization to the industry players and the public at large are numerous. The global economic indices have continued to signal that we have to double our efforts in achieving successful digital migration.

“At this juncture, I want to commend the efforts of the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria in partnering with NBC and other major stakeholders in ensuring digital migration that will be beneficial to the Nigerian public.

“I am sure that this digital convention will bring to the front burner the essence of partnership by all stakeholders and industry players on achieving a collective digital migration.

“I therefore want to call on BON and other stakeholders to come up with suggestions that would continue to assist in analogue switch off.”

On his part, Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Balarabe Illela noted that: “Now that the politicking has started prelude to the 2023 general election, the Media as the fourth estate of the realm must adhere strictly to the rules as stipulated in NBC code and other statue including the newly passed Electoral Act.

“The Broadcast Media should help in combating the menace fake news by disseminating correct information to the public and provide necessary feedback from the public to the government.”

To this end, he urged “all broadcasters to join hands with BON to enhance collaborative mechanisms to ensure that the industry remains resolute and professional for the best interest of the country”.

In his opening address, BON Chairman, Mr. John Ugbe said, the organisation will continue to strive towards ensuring adherence to the laid down rules and ethical conduct in the broadcast sector.

Mr. Ugbe who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Multichoice Nigeria Limited, unveiled the Organization’s plan to commence the training and retraining of broadcast practitioners in April 2022.