Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The federal authorities has suspended all critiques of broadcast licence charges till additional discover, following issues by operators over rising prices and the difficult enterprise surroundings in Nigeria’s broadcasting trade.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, introduced the suspension yesterday in Abuja when he acquired a delegation of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), led by its Chairman, Tony Akiotu.
Idris directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to make sure strict compliance with the directive, stressing that no improve in broadcast licence charges can be allowed pending a evaluate of the scenario.
“Any increase in licence fees is hereby put on hold. All reviews relating to licences are suspended until further notice. I am directing the NBC to ensure strict compliance while we review the situation,” he stated.
The minister additionally directed the Director-General of the NBC to expedite the evaluate of the National Broadcasting Code to make sure that the regulatory framework displays rising developments and realities within the broadcasting trade.
On the Digital Switch-Over (DSO), Idris promised to convene a stakeholders’ assembly to deal with excellent points, whereas assuring BON that the federal authorities would have interaction related stakeholders on issues referring to reasonably priced financing and spectrum allocation.
He additionally disclosed that he had directed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to make sure the total implementation of the 45-day cost interval for promoting providers, a coverage BON had urged the federal government to implement.
The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to creating an enabling surroundings for the broadcasting trade, noting that the sector performs a essential position in strengthening democracy, selling nationwide cohesion and guaranteeing entry to credible data.
With the 2027 basic election approaching, Idris urged broadcasters to uphold professionalism, equity and moral requirements of their protection, stressing that freedom of expression have to be exercised responsibly.
“Freedom of expression must go with responsibility. You cannot simply say anything and claim to be practising journalism. Journalism has standards, procedures and ethics. I urge broadcasters to ensure that what they report is factual, responsible and promotes national unity and peaceful coexistence,” he stated.
Earlier, Akiotu recommended the minister for his intervention throughout the June 2026 DSO launch, saying the stakeholders’ assembly convened by Idris helped handle issues about guaranteeing a degree enjoying subject for operators.
He, nevertheless, outlined among the main challenges confronting the trade, together with the evaluate of the National Broadcasting Code, broadcast licence charges, rising operational prices, entry to financing, spectrum allocation and enforcement of the 45-day promoting cost coverage.
Akiotu stated BON believed in dialogue, session and mediation as technique of stopping industrial disharmony within the broadcasting trade, whereas interesting for the minister’s continued intervention.
“BON believes in dialogue, consultation and mediation to prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony in the broadcasting industry. We are grateful for your personal intervention during the DSO launch and seek your continued support in addressing the challenges affecting our members,” he stated.
Idris congratulated BON on the profitable internet hosting of its 82nd General Assembly in Calabar, Cross River State, and reiterated the federal authorities’s dedication to sustained engagement with trade stakeholders to strengthen the sector and promote its long-term improvement.
