By Innocent Orok
Television and Radio Stations in Nigeria, under the umbrella of Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) have sent a Save Our Souls ( SOS ) message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declaring a State of Emergency in the broadcasting media sector.
The group is seeking for stimulus packages intervention in key facilities like CNG Gen- Sets and Low Power Energy Saving Radio Transmitters to avoid total shutdown due to high cost of Band A Power Tariff and high cost of diesel and petrol.
They also appeal to the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC) to suspend the collection of 2.5% levy on gross revenue of stations in view of the bad economic climate.
The BON members further call for ministerial ban on AREWA 24 TV Channel and other foreign TV Channels for illegal airing of Local Advert Commercials without NBC/ARCON Licenses as Local station owners has threatened to take the matter to court.
The 79th General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) held at the HomeVille PLUS Hotel in Benin, Edo State was chaired by Senior High Chief Tony Akiotu.
The meeting in its press conference on the BON Communique issued on Wednesday 17th July appeals for the urgent Stimulus package intervention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to National Broadcasting Commission Licensed and Active Broadcast Media Houses to prevent a scenario where most Nigerian Radio and TV stations might shut down, leaving Nigerians reliant on social media for information, with potentially damaging consequences for our nation,” he warned.
Akiotu further appeals to the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to suspend the Implemention of the NBC Code in respect of the 2.5% levy Gross Earnings of Radio and Televisions in view of the very bad economic climate in the country and call on the NBC to stop unlicensed Foreign Media Channels, Clients and Advertising Agencies eating deep into the Production and Airing of Nigerian Adverts on Nigerian pay TV Platforms thereby denying the the distressed local stations the much needed revenues to breath.
He urged industry Stakeholders and Regulators collaboration in addressing industry challenges such as regulatory frameworks, digital transformation, Advertising, audience engagement, training and sustainability.
