We want to sanitise the airwaves ahead of 2015 Elections -NBC boss, Emeka Mba

NBC DG, Emeka Mba

In this chat, the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba, spoke on a wide range of issues, especially the commission’s plan to complete the process of Digital Switch Over (DSO), before the 2015 deadline. Cerebral Mba also spoke candidly on Africast 2014, the best and professional ways to cover 2015 general elections, how to resolve amicably the COSON and BON/IBAN imbroglio, planned workshop for broadcasters among other germane issues aimed at strengthening the commission’s effective and efficient operations as the nation’s apex regulatory body for the broadcast industry.

Commenting on the Digital Switch Over, Mba stated that the Commission convened a broadcast summit in October 2013, during which very important resolutions were reached in order to meet the deadline for the Digital Switch Over, (DSO) set for December 31, 2014. 

“Also, the Digiteam Nigeria has been working very hard to consolidate on the technical and other details of the transition in collaboration with the Commission.  Consequently, the Commission is now actively working towards coming on board of the signal distributors.

The passage of enabling laws, we are already working with the National Assembly to amend the relevant laws, especially relevant sections of the NTA and NBC Acts;

We are also collaborating with other government agencies and institutions, especially the Nigerian Customs Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Orientation Agency, the Nigeria Police, among others to ensure a smooth operation.

And to achieve all these, we are embarking on massive publicity. We are working very hard to roll out a publicity programme targeting every stratum of our publics.  Our Jingles and Newspaper blitz will begin before the end of the month.  Village-level sensitisation by states will also be pursued vigorously among others.

We are also planning a workshop with BON for all broadcasting stations nationwide. Above all, the full implementation of DSO will hugely sanitise our airwaves.”

Mba added that NBC strategically selected Jos, Plateau State, as the Switch Over Test City.  “Plateau State is compact; it also has a fair compliment of government-owned and privately owned broadcasting stations.”

And to achieve full DSO, Mba stated that over N68 billion will be needed. He also called for private sector collaborations towards achieving the very huge budget, while also appealing to broadcast stations owing the commission to immediately pay up in order to avoid losing their licenses.” 

Speaking on NBC’s plan for this year’s Africast, he reminded all that we are in another Africast year that will hold between October 21 and 23, with the theme: Digital Broadcast Content: Production, Sourcing and Delivery. 

“As you know, it is our principal biennial conference bringing the industry up-to-date with the state of the industry in Africa and worldwide.

In this edition, we shall be working with an established international programmes market organisers to introduce a programmes market to Africast 2014.  It is too early to say more, but come October, where else would you rather be?”

On how best to cover elections without violating or abusing the airwaves, Mba had this to say.

“The 2015 elections are still a whole year off down the road, but already the media is agog with politics.  The Commission is concerned about the handling of political stories by broadcasting stations.  It is important to appreciate the provisions of section 5.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, dealing with Political Broadcasts.  I want to particularly draw attention to Section 5.2.8:

“In adherence to the principles of pluralism, equal airtime shall be provided to all political parties or views, with particular regard to the amount of time and belt, during political campaign periods. 

May I also remind all broadcast stations of the provision of section 7.6.6:

The period of campaign through any broadcast media in any election by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day”

Mba continues: “The Ekiti State Elections are now in the horizon, and the Commission warns broadcasting stations, especially those in Ekiti State that they must remain fair to all concerned and adhere strictly to the Code.

We have a 24/7 monitoring programme in place, and the Commission will not hesitate to deal adequately with anyone found wanting.”

On the protracted royalty conflict involving COSON and BON/IBAN, Mba disclosed that the Commission was concerned, indeed, dismayed at the hot dispute raging between broadcasters and rights owners over the payment of royalties for music and musical materials used by the broadcasters. 

In order to prevent the conflict from further destabilising the industry and return it to the path of harmony and growth, the Commission, he stated had taken steps to settle the dispute.    

“The Commission held meeting with all parties in December 2013;

and has called a truce – BON and IBAN are to lift their ban on some musicians, and all court cases regarding the dispute should be suspended to allow for peaceful settlement.

The Commission is in the Process of forming the Committee, which will be chaired by a respected Industry player acceptable to all.

The Committee will have the mandate to resolve the issues before the end of this quarter.

In view of the above, I wish to appeal to COSON and BON and IBAN to please cooperate with the Commission in order to put this behind us and move on.”

The Commission, in the words of Mba is also concerned about the constant sharpening of skills of the industry players in line with the professional objectives of broadcasting, which is to demand a high-level specialisation and professionalism among broadcasters. 

“We are convinced that training and re-training of broadcasters is very important, and we call on broadcasting stations and proprietors of such stations to invest more on the training of their personnel.   

We have continued to hold different types of trainings for broadcasters.  For instance, we held at least 12 workshops in 2013.  There are more in the pipeline for up-skilling the practitioners.”

The Commission, he further stated was also concerned about reports from some stations regarding the refusal of station proprietors to pay staff salaries as and when due. 

“This is unacceptable and in violation with their licence conditions, which require in section 1.11 of the Code on Staff empowerment.  This cannot continue, we want to encourage staff affected by this kind of violation to report to the Commission.”