The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed is seeking legislative backing to strictly regulate private broadcasting, as well as internet and all online media in the country.
Speaking at a House of Reps Public Hearing on Nation Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act amendment on Wednesday, Mr. Mohammed called on lawmakers to support the move in the interest of all, saying the government has an obligation to monitor broadcast content.
He stressed the urgent need for the National Assembly to amend the existing NBC law to include internet broadcast and all online media broadcasts in the country.
Mohammed’s comments come two weeks after he announced a ban on the activities of Twitter in Nigeria. The Street Journal had reported that the minister said activities on the microblogging platform were a threat to Nigeria’s corporate existence.
Speaking at the public hearing, Mohammed disagreed with moves to compel the NBC to pay all monies accruing to it into the federations account in accordance with section 162 of the constitution.
“We have a problem with this because it is not in line with the thinking of the Executive. Very soon, NBC will exit the number of parastatals whose salaries are paid by the federal government. In other words, the NBC would need to be paying its own salaries, pay for its overheads and operations
“If that is the way the Executive is thinking, it will be a drawback if you now pay everything into the Treasury Single Account. It means that the government would have to continue to pay our salaries and take care of all our needs. This will defeat the objective of the federal government that certain parastatals should contribute more to the revenue of the government
“I think I need to reconcile this with the Minister of Finance before we proceed. The practice now is that 30 per cent of whatever we generate, we retain and 70 per cent is what is paid into the Central Bank
“In 2020, we have been given letters that from next year, we need to be self-sufficient and that we will no longer enjoy the privilege of our salaries being paid by the government. We have to fend for ourselves. So, we need to look into this area,” Mohammed said.
Speaking on the power to grant a licence, Mohammed said:
“The spectrums do not belong to licensees, but to the federal government and can use it either for broadcasting, telecom, or any other thing. The impression is given that those enjoying it today can do so forever.
“The Federal Government can decide who to give the spectrum to. We must be careful not to give spectrum permanently to foreign companies who may decide to do whatever they please with it
“It is our hope that when we eventually transit from analog to digital broadcasting, the spectrums that will be left will now be sold to fund developmental programs. Saying those enjoying the spectrum now should continue to do so is like taking away the powers of the federal government to allocate spectrum.”
However, players in the industry including the Institute for Media and Society, International Press Centre, and Centre for Media Law and Advocacy kicked against Mr. Mohammed’s intention to strictly regulate broadcasting and online media.
According to them, the inclusion of internet broadcast and online media to the category of broadcast service licenses would be injurious to the civic space, freedom of expression, and media freedom.
Conspicuously missing at the public hearing were the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) who are the major beneficiaries of the regulations of the National Broadcasting Commission.
However, Speaker of the House, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, said when passed, the contents of the bill will substantially influence the creation of media content in the country.
He acknowledged that each of the Bills under consideration seeks to significantly alter the statutory framework of media, advertising and intellectual property regulation in Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila, who was represented by the Deputy House leader, Mr Peter Akpatason, said:
If these bills become law, the proposals contained therein will influence the creation of media content, they will determine the contact of advertising, regulate free speech and establish institutions that will impact our country for generations to come.”
The bills being considered comprises:
A bill for an act to amend the national broadcasting act, cap n11, laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 to strengthen the commission and make it more effective to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria, to provide for payment of all monies received by the commission into the federation account in accordance with section 162 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and encourage liberal openness and favorable competition in the industry; and for related matters (hb 332);
A bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Institute of Translators and Interpreters and for Related Matters (hb. 136);
A bill for an act to repeal the advertising practitioners ( registration, etc.) act, cap a7 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enact the advertising practitioners (registration, licensing, etc.)
A bill for the establishment of a council for advertising practitioners as the apex regulatory authority for the Nigerian advertising profession and practice and ensure smooth operations of the council and for related matters (hbs. 137 & 518);
A bill for an act to repeal the national film and video censors board act, cap n.40 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enact the national film and video censorship classification and exhibition regulatory commission bill for classification of films, video, works, musical videos and video games and for related matters (hb. 514); and
A bill for an act to amend the Nigeria Press Council Act, cap n.128 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to remove bottlenecks affecting its performance and make the council in tune with current realities in regulating the press, and for related matters (hb.330).
Comments