Isiyaku Ahmed
Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) has called for the complete review of the digitalization process specifically in the area of legal frame work as the only document available remains a government white paper of 2012 which does not capture contemporary Technological Development.
According to BON, the document is deficient in addressing decade long issue that have emerged since its issuance.
The call is part of the outcome of the Central Working Committee (CWC), meeting held on Wednesday at its secretariat in Abuja.
A statement jointly singed by BON Chairman, Sa’a Ibrahim and Executive Secretary, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose said the meeting reviewed holistically the process of digitalization, the formation of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, Audience Measurement, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation license rates and other industry matters.
The outcomes of the meeting include the immediate kick starting of the process of establishing the society of Nigerian Broadcasters beginning with a committee to work on modalities for its take-off and the immediate stoppage of the collection of digital access fee while the amount collected so far should be accounted for.
The Committee also called on federal government to ban the importation of analogue television sets into the country while the cost of set-top boxes should be made affordable.
It suggested that NBC should bring together as a matter of urgency all critical stakeholders in broadcasting industry to take a total review of the entire Digital Switch Over (DSO) process
The CWC also proposed a broadcast license fee pending the final migration from analogue to digital per annum should be – National DTT N20m, Regional N10m, Abuja/Lagos/Kano and Port Harcourt N15m and State DTT N500,000
The CWC has noted the reported directives given to broadcast stations on the issue of insurgence and banditry reportage.
While accepting the concerns of NBC as regulators, BON believes there should be more interface with practitioners than issuing directives that are interpreted as moves to gag the industry.
