By NAN

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has called on National Broadcasting Commissions of Nigeria (BON) to collaborate with it on the establishment of the Nigerian Broadcast Institute to enhance professionalism and move the industry forward.

The Director-General of NBC, Mr Balarebe Ilelah made the call during his goodwill message at the 77th General Assembly of BON on Thursday in Abuja.

The Assembly with the theme: ‘Sustainability of Broadcast Operations in Developing Societies’ was organised by BON.

Ilelah congratulated BON for its consistent interventions with its members on matters affecting the industry.

According to Ilelah, the meeting is coming at a time that key players in the industry are rising up to entrench professionalism.

“Permit me to use this opportunity to invite BON to collaborate with NBC as preparation having gone far to establish the Nigerian Broadcast Institute which we hope to take off any time soon.

“Members of BON and the new entrants into the industry will be required to pass through the institute for training and certification before they start practicing this noble profession.

“This way, the industry can get rid of quacks and minimise the proliferation of unprofessional broadcasts on our airwaves.

“I will also enjoin broadcasters to play by the rules and regulations guiding political broadcasting and electoral Act 2022 as we approach the 2023 general elections.

“Issues of fake news, hate speech and the likes would not be condoled,” Ilelah stressed.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of BON, Mr John Ugbe said the training organised by the organisation would be completed in 2023, adding that there is positive commitment toward capacity building for stakeholders.

Ugbe hinted that the much anticipated BON’s award has been shifted to 2023, adding that the organisation is still receiving entries.

On regulation, Ugbe said that all the regulatory bodies forgot that members of BON also want to make some revenue and stay in business, “but we see the rules escalating.

However, we came up with a booklet which contains rules from different regulatory bodies. This is to enable us to reduce these new trends of fines, because, we can not afford to pay these fines.

“But, we are doing a lot of engagements with the regulatory bodies on licence fees and many others which are affecting our industry,” Ugbe said.

Similarly, the Director-General of Advertising Regulation Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr Olalekan Fadilapo said advertising was strategic to BON’s business.

He added that the purpose of standard of practice was to ensure that media owners get their money as at when due.

“ARCON is not the primary regulator of the media, but we have an oversight function on advertising that affect all the spaces.

“Government media have subvention, but private media organisation has to do a lot to get their money, which 75 per cent comes from advertising,” Fadolapo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that stakeholders like Independent National Electoral Commission pledged continued partnership and urged members of BON to exhibit professionalism during the electioneering season.

NAN reports that the event brought stakeholders from the media across the country. (NAN)