FG Set To Review Broadcast Code, May Increase Licence Fee

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it will soon meet with broadcasting industry stakeholders to review the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The commission also revealed that it is considering raising television and radio station licence fees.

This was revealed by NBC’s Director General Malam, Balareba Shehu Ilelah, at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

Despite the fact that the press conference was called to announce the hosting of this year’s African broadcast exhibition (Africast), which is scheduled for October 24 to 26 in Lagos, Ilelah stated that the broadcast code would be reviewed after all stakeholders in the industry provided input.

“We will seek contributions from all stakeholders in the industry to review the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. We also considering upward review of the broadcast licence for TV and radio stations”, the NBC DG said.

He stated that NBC, as a regulator, would ensure that the broadcast media fulfilled their legal obligations.

However, during the press conference, Dr Yemisi Bamgbose, Executive Secretary of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), advised NBC against raising broadcast licence fees at this time.

Bamgbose stated that it is a well-known fact that the country’s broadcast industry is in desperate need of a lifeline and that increasing licence fees or any other fees could kill many of the stations.

“Let me appeal to the DG and of course the NBC not to increase the licence fee now. Broadcasters are already going through a very difficult time so I don’t think this is the best time to increase their licence fee or any other fees at all”, the BON scribe said.

According to reports, the current Nigeria Broadcast Code, which was issued in 2016 and amended in 2020, contains rules and regulations that guide the country’s broadcast industry and practitioners.