NBC to review broadcast code, increase license fee

The Nationwide Broadcasting Fee (NBC) throughout a press briefing in Lagos at the moment concerning the upcoming AFRICAST convention mentioned it’s going to quickly evaluate the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and will contemplate an upward evaluate of tv and radio stations license charges after consulting stakeholders within the business.

Nevertheless, the fee disclosed that the evaluate and improve of the printed license price won’t be applied in haste as it’s going to have interaction all business stakeholders earlier than taking additional choices.

Balareba Shehu Ilelah, director normal, NBC mentioned,” We’ll search contributions from all stakeholders within the business to evaluate the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. We’re additionally contemplating an upward evaluate of the printed license for TV and radio stations.”

In the meantime, Yemisi Bamgbose, govt secretary Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria (BON) Contemplating the financial state of affairs of the nation pleaded with the fee on behalf of broadcast stations to not improve the licenses in the mean time, explaining that the sector has been majorly affected.

“Let me enchantment to the DG and naturally the NBC to not improve the licence price now. Broadcasters are already going via a really tough time so I don’t suppose that is the most effective time to extend their licence price or every other charges in any respect,” Bamgbose mentioned.

In response, the DG mentioned there shall be a necessity for session earlier than any evaluate.

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Talking on the upcoming Worldwide Convention of African Broadcasters, AFRICAST 2023 which is coming to Lagos for the primary time, themed ‘Broadcast Content material: Synergy, Finance and Market’, scheduled to carry from twenty fourth to twenty sixth October 2023, the fee mentioned it’s going to present a platform for evaluation and evaluate of Africa’s broadcast perspective to satisfy worldwide greatest practices and requirements.

Ilelah mentioned Lagos offers a sturdy environment to debate and pursue worldwide greatest practices within the broadcasting career being a significant hub for broadcast actions.

He mentioned the occasion guarantees to unveil unparalleled alternatives in know-how for the most effective broadcast career throughout Africa.

“Africast 2023 will showcase trendy applied sciences, thought-provoking discussions, and networking alternatives to foster collaboration and drive innovation throughout numerous sectors,” Ilelah mentioned.

The occasion will characteristic a various vary of periods, exhibitions, and interactive experiences to cater to the pursuits and wishes of attendees.

Additionally, the occasion has attracted two companions, Broadcast Media Africa, (BMA) and Nigerian Worldwide Movie & Television Summit, (NiFS).

BMA’s function is to venture Africa’s broadcast and media business to the world and produce the world to Nigeria’s broadcast Trade whereas that of NiFS offers a hyperlink between broadcasters and top-class content material creators and push narratives in direction of tips on how to create related contents that can bridge the hole between what the outdated generations wish to watch and what the brand new technology are tilting in direction of.

The essence is to create the precise stability and make sure the broadcast media serve the outdated and new generations a typical bouquet.

Ijeoma Onah, representing NiFS mentioned, “My fear is that there’s a large gulf between the contents now and what the brand new technology is looking for. They’re creating their very own platforms and look like leaving us behind. If we don’t create a balanced Nigeria, the printed sector will lose a sizeable chunk of followership. The sector ought to focus extra on content material and never simply infrastructure. Whereas infrastructure is the automobile, content material is the gas. With out gas, regardless of how posh the automobile is, it could possibly by no means transfer.”

“That narrative is what we’ll push with Africast 2023” she added.