Broadcast Code: Taraba govt., NBC trains broadcast journalists on professionalism

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Taraba state government in collaboration with National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has organized a one day training for broadcast journalists in Taraba.

Barr. Zainab Usman Jalingo, Taraba state Commissioner for information and re-orientation disclosed during the event in Jalingo that the idea was a deliberate efforts of the MOVING FORWARD train of governor Kefas to ensure quality broadcasting that will help project the administration’s policies in the right direction.

The commissioner noted that the decision was also due to the changing trends in the broadcast industry, which require keeping the State owned media professional abreast on the changes in the industry.

According to her, the lack of training has negatively affected productivity, and was key to train professionals to gain additional knowledge that will equip practitioners to be at their best in the daily practices.

“The lack of training has negatively affected productivity of broadcast industry in Taraba. This development informed this training so that you will gain additional knowledge that will help you to be at your best in your daily practice.

“This training is a deliberate efforts of the MOVING FORWARD train of governor Agbu Kefas to ensure quality broadcasting that will help project the administration’s policies in the right direction, as the communication of government policies and programmes can only be effectively and easily done through the broadcast media due to its flexibility and wide reach.

“Governor Agbu Kefas believes that the evolving trends such as the transition from analogue to digital mode of broadcasting, user generated content among others in the industry as well as the new guidelines for broadcast organizations set by the stakeholders in the Broadcasting industry called “Nigeria Broadcasting Code,” need to be clearly understood by broadcast media professionals.

“The “Nigeria Broadcasting Code” which is the working document produced and disseminated by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as mandated by the enabling act of its establishment, need to be closely followed by broadcasters.

“It is the expectation of government that this training will not only help broadcast journalists to improve on their professionalism but will help address frequent issues of breaching the broadcasting code, which often results in the stations paying huge sums of money to NBC as sanction” The Commissioner noted.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Agnes Ukpo, Taraba State officer, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), explained that the dynamic of contemporary times, such as hate speeches during politics, insecurity ranging from insurgence, kidnapping and banditry, require a professional and vibrant broadcast media to match the public’s expectations of quality Information, Education and Entertainment.

Ukpo said, “At (NBC), we receive, process and consider applications for the establishment, ownership or operation of Radio and Television stations. Upholding the principles of equity and fairness in broadcasting, regulating and controlling the broadcast industry, determining and applying sanctions, including revocation of licences of defaulting stations which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in the public interest among several other statutory mandates.

“We regulate to ensure sanity of the airwaves and also to guarantee the Peoples right to quality broadcasting” Ukpo stated.

People’sdaily reports that, managers of broadcast media organizations in the State commended Governor Kefas for the initiative, stated that the capacity building idea would help boost the broadcast quality in Taraba.