A Review of the Amendment to the 6th Edition of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code

A Review of the Amendment to the  6th Edition of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code

Introduction

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) recently released the Amendment to the 6th Edition of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code (“the Amendment”). The NBC, which was established in 1992 under the National Broadcasting Commission Act 1992) (“the Act”), NBC is vested with the responsibility of regulating and controlling the broadcast industry in Nigeria. In addition, the NBC is entrusted with the power to establish and disseminate a National Broadcasting Code (“the Code”) for the purpose of setting standards with regard to the content and quality of materials for broadcast. In exercise of this power, the NBC has, since 2003, published and updated editions of the Code.

According to the NBC, the Amendment seeks to promote local content in the Nigerian broadcast industry, proscribe monopolistic and anti-competition practices and provide for increased advertising revenue for local broadcast stations and content producers. Since its announcement, the Amendment has been subject to debate and criticism from business owners and operators in the broadcast industry. This article reviews the provisions of the Amendment in line with the Act and general principles of law.