NBC cautions Big Brother Naija over breach of broadcast code

Big Brother Naija 2019 housemates

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has cautioned organisers of Big Brother Naija over alleged breach of its code.

It also sanctioned 45 broadcasting stations in the second quarter of 2019.

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NBC director-general, Ishaq Kawu, made this known while addressing a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the contraventions included breaches of the rules on hate speech, abusive and inflammatory broadcast.

Mr Kawu said the commission’s second quarter monitoring of broadcast stations profile was from April to June 2019.

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“Coming shortly after the National and State Elections in the First Quarter of the year, the report indicates that though there is a drop in breaches related to hateful, abusive and inflammatory broadcast, which peaked during the elections,” he said.

“Thus as many as 45 stations were fined, the 2nd Quarter indicates that the trend has continued among certain stations, especially in political programmes.

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“Therefore, 20 stations were fined in the 2nd Quarter, for breaching provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code on Hate speech.

“Other breaches were in the area of obscene and vulgar lyrics – a total of 10 stations were fined for infractions related to use of vulgar lyrics and obscene content.

“It is worth mentioning that the programme Big Brother Naija was cautioned against unwholesome content on its broadcast,” Kawu said.

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The 2019 edition of Big Brother Naija is the fourth season of the reality show.

It began airing on June 30 with 21 housemates with six others added after some weeks.

Notorious for strong language, squabbling and sexual adventures, the show is rated R18 for a restricted audience.