The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) based in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, has expressed concerns regarding the amateurish treatment of newspaper content by certain broadcast stations during their review segments.
Recent monitoring reports have revealed a troubling pattern where hosts trivialize significant national issues and personalities, often resorting to unguided remarks and personal opinions on air. Such conduct not only distorts the original purpose of the program but also breaches the principle of objectivity in broadcast journalism.
Quoting pertinent sections of broadcasting regulations, the NBC stressed the importance of transparency and adherence to ethical standards in journalism. Section 3.2.1 highlights the necessity of clarity in program objectives from production to presentation, while Section 5.1.12 mandates that news and current affairs programs maintain ethical journalism standards.
Furthermore, Section 5.1.14 advises against the inclusion of unnecessary morbid, gory, or sensational details in reporting. Similarly, Section 5.1.16 explicitly prohibits the fabrication of news, emphasizing the significance of factual reporting.
The newspaper review serves as a crucial broadcast genre aimed at informing the public and therefore should be approached with professionalism and integrity. Broadcast stations are encouraged to collaborate with the NBC to ensure that the airwaves are free from inappropriate content and that journalistic standards are upheld.
In a statement released by Sunday Omõge, Zonal Director of the NBC Ibadan Zonal office, dated April 8, broadcasters are reminded of their duty to deliver news content responsibly and in accordance with regulatory directives.
The NBC’s call for heightened professionalism in handling newspaper content underscores the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity and respecting the public’s right to accurate and impartial information.
