NBC commends APC on diligence

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has commended the Anambra State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) for paying close attention to broadcast issues where other parties have not.

The commendation was given by the Director of Broadcast Monitoring for NBC Mrs. Franca Aiyetan who represented her Director General in a one-day workshop organised by the commission on electronic coverage of Anambra State Governorship election, with broadcasters, broadcast stables, security agencies, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), representatives of Anambra State Government and political parties participating.

In her observation ‘We invited all the 18 political parties in Anambra State to this workshop, but only APC is represented here and have raised quality issues’

APC was represented in the event held in Finotel Hotels Awka mid week by its Anambra State Publicity Secretary Arc. Okelo Madukaife.

In his contribution, Madukaife had challenged the Commissioner for Information Mr. C-Don Adinuba to a public debate in Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) on the political issues he was raising in a forum focusing on broadcasting , so that the workshop can achieve its objective.

Adinuba spoke twice , before and after a concise speech by the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, projecting the possibility of Anambra State November 6 election going into run-off, ‘for the first time in the history of Nigeria’ suggesting that ‘those who burnt Anambra State facilities in 2003/2004 are those instigating violence in Anambra State’

In his contribution however, Madukaife said: ‘ I wish the Commissioner for Information did not have to leave for another assignment before I get the opportunity to speak, but the Managing Director of ABS, Chief Uche Nworah is here and I am glad to speak after the nice salesman for his organisation ABS has spoken ‘

Continuing, Madukaife who is the Chairman of Conference of APC State Publicity Secretaries (CAPS), declared :I would want to challenge the commissioner of Information to a live debate in ABS, covering all the political issues he raised here, so that this workshop can achieve its objectives, which bothers on issues as professional as balanced coverage, avoiding libel, conforming to National Broadcasting Code and avoiding announcement of unauthorized results. ‘

He went ahead to raise three issues for clarification :

1- If a political party attacks another in a commercial program in a way that elicits right of reply, does the broadcasting station have to collect money from the one who requires the right of reply?

2-Does NBC act in line with its own observation or does it rely on petitions by aggrieved organisations in the case of victim political parties?

3-Why do political adverts and programs cost more than other programs in a nation that requires a lot of political enlightenment.

In her response, Mrs Olaiyetan insisted that every right of reply must be free, even if what is being replied to was free.

Observers in the workshop believed that APC spokesman was making a veiled reference to ABS, which has failed to balance access of air time between government and opposition in the state, even while being sustained with public funds.