Prof Armstrong Idachaba, DG NBC
The Acting Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, Professor Armstrong Idachaba has restated that the objectives of the amendment to the 6th edition of the Commission’s code which has attracted divergent views from stakeholders, is in the best interest of the country.
In a press release in Abuja on Monday, he said, “These objectives remain key and central to the development of broadcasting in Nigeria and the reform of the Broadcasting industry. Whilst we acknowledge the mixed reactions of the industry to the release of the amendment to the 6th edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code , we consider them healthy for the development of the broadcast Industry in Nigeria. And we must commend those who have intellectualised and enriched the discourse with incisive and decent arguments both for and against.”
According to him, the “amendments are the protection and promotion of the local broadcast industry from monopolistic and anti/ competitive behaviour, the stimulation of advertising revenue into the Broadcast industry and by extension the local creative industry. ”
Noting that the Nigeria broadcasting industry is facing a series of challenges ranging from inability of broadcasters to generate required funds from advertising and programming to the inability of Local Producers of content to create contents for Television, leading to an influx of foreign production companies some of them unregistered and unlicensed by the Nigerian government, he said, the unregistered and unlicensed companies have taken over the local content production space and by extension the advertising and broadcasting space, relegating the local entrepreneurs to oblivion.
“The Commission believes in DFI in the Broadcasting industry but this must be done with the noble philosophy to promote our own national dreams and vision.
“The amendments to the Code does not in any way prevent investments, if any thing it simply says carry the Nigerian broadcaster along. We believe that if properly executed these provisions will make rapid benefits for those who invest in Nigeria and the benefit of Nigerian media entrepreneurs and audiences.
“We know of a truth that Broadcasting is dynamic, so are the challenges to regulation.
“The Commission has noted all the concerns and observations , especially on 9.0.1 and 6.2.8.
On 6.2.8 clearly the point is that Exclusivity shall not be allowed for sporting rights in the Nigerian territory and in furtherance thereof, no broadcaster or licensee shall license or acquire foreign sporting rights in such a manner as to exclude persons, broadcasters or licensees in Nigeria from sub-licensing the same.
“Similarly on 9.0.1 the point is that -a Broadcaster or licensee shall immediately after the coming into force of this Amendment be prohibited from effecting informal agreements, written and oral agreements, explicit or implicit understandings or implementing concerted practices either exclusively or between market players that have as their object, intent, effect or purpose the restriction of competition, abuse of a dominant position or of substantial market power or create barriers to entry in the broadcast media industry in Nigeria.
“Investors to the Broadcasting industry in Nigeria are welcome as the Code makes adequate provisions to protect their Business,” he concluded.
