National Broadcasting Commission
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    FAQs
    FAQ
    Who qualifies to apply for a broadcast licence?
    You are qualified to apply for a broadcast licence, if you join
    people of like minds to form a company whose memorandum and article of Association, include broadcasting in its objective.
    Can foreigners own broadcast stations in Nigeria?
    Yes, if they incorporate a limited liability company with Nigerians
    holding majority shares and the company is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
    How does one get a broadcasting licence for radio and television?
    The following steps should be taken when applying for a broadcast
    licence:
    1. Incorporate a limited liability company with Nigerians holding majority shares; register same with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
    2. Purchase an application form from Finance Directorate of the commission. This entitles you to a copy of the National Broadcasting Code (and the acts) which you need to study before filling your application form. The filled form is returned to the commission with a detailed feasibility study on your proposed station;
    3. Fill in and return the form to the office of the secretary to the
    commission stating clearly how you intend to utilize the LICENCE i.e. radio or television, open or scrambled broadcast or cable/satellite
    retransmission, satellite television.
    The application is processed through the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation to the President and Commander –in- chief, who gives final approval to the applying company, which is expected to pay for the LICENCE for which it is issued, and appropriate frequencies are allocated.
    How long does it take from application to issuing of the LICENCE?
    That is entirely at the discretion of the President.
    Is there a limit to the numbers of LICENCES the NBC can issue?
    No.
    What other LICENCES, aside from radio and television does the NBC issue?
    NBC issues licence for the ownership of radio television station
    services, direct satellite broadcast and any other medium of broadcasting.
    How many radios, television and cable stations are in operation in Nigeria at the moment?
    There are 100 radios, 147 television, 35 cable, 4 direct to home and 4 direct broadcast satellite stations on air at the moment.
    What is the administrative structure of the NBC?
    NBC is headed by a Director General who is the chief executive of the Commission and responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization. Under his office there are three units: The Public Affairs, Legal and Internal Audit departments.
    There are 8 directorates in the Commission, viz: Office of the Secretary to the Commission; Monitoring; Operations; Human Resource Management; Finance; Research and Planning as well as the Directorates of Technology and Policy and Standards. There are ten Zonal Offices across the country in addition to eleven state offices.
    How does the NBC operate?
    NBC operates through the zonal and state offices. Monitoring officers are in these offices monitor stations under their zones/offices and file in reports through the zonal director to the Director General.
    What does monitoring mean and how does the NBC implement it?
    Monitoring is the act of watching/listening to the activities of
    broadcast stations by officers of the NBC to ensure that what the stations do does not go against the law. This is implemented through the monitoring officers across the country.
    If I view or listen to an offensive broadcast, who do I
    complain to?
    If you have a complaint against a station please write to them and copy the Director General, National Broadcasting commission. If you have comments about a particular programme(s), write to the Chief Executive of the station and copy the Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, stating programme(s), titles(s), Date(s) and time(s) of transmission and your observations. You are entitled to a response from the station.
    What is the stand of the law on political and religious broadcast?
    According to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code:
    All political programmes shall observe the provisions of extant acts, decrees and electoral laws.
    Equitable air time shall be provided to the various religions in the community.
    Why is the NBC not punishing broadcast stations as often they break the law?
    Because NBC elects to be more preventive and corrective rather than punitive. This to encourage the growth of the broadcast industry. However, where necessary, NBC also wields the big stick.
    What are my rights as a member of the public and a consumer of broadcast items?

    You have a right to quality broadcasting, especially relevant local programmes. You also have a right of reply. The Nigeria Broadcasting code, section 2. 3, guarantees you a right of reply within 24 hours of your complaint. This imposes on stations the obligation to give fair hearing to all sides on an issue of public interest. If you are unfairly denied your right of reply, please write the NBC for redress.

    When was the National Broadcasting Commission established?
    Decree 38 of August 24, 1992 established the National Broadcasting Commission.(Now Act 38 0f 1992)
    What are the functions of NBC?
    1. Advising the Federal Government generally on the implementation of the National Mass Communication Policy with particular reference to broadcasting.
    2. Receiving, Processing and considering applications for the ownership of radio and television stations including cable television services, direct satellite broadcast and any other medium of broadcasting.
    3. Recommending applications through the Minister to the President, Commander – in – chief of the Armed Forces for the grant of radio and television licences.
    4. Regulating and controlling the broadcast industry;
    5. Undertaking research and development in the broadcast industry;
    6. Receiving, considering and investigating complaints from individuals and bodies corporate regarding the content of a broadcast and the conduct of a broadcasting station;
    7. Upholding the principles of equity and fairness in broadcasting.
    8. Establishing and disseminating a national broadcasting code and setting standards with regard to the contents and quality of materials for broadcast;
    9. Promoting Nigerian indigenous cultures, moral and community life
    through broadcasting;
    10. Promoting authenticated radio and television audience measurements and penetration.
    11. Initiating and harmonizing government policies on transborder direct transmission and reception in Nigeria.
    12. Regulating ethical standards and technical excellence in public, private and commercial broadcast stations in Nigeria.
    13. Monitoring broadcasting for harmful emission, interference and illegal broadcasting;
    14. Determining and applying sanctions including revocation of licence of defaulting stations which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in the public interest.
    15. Approving the transmitter power, location of stations, areas of coverage as well as regulate types of broadcast equipment to be used; and,
    16. Carrying out such other activities as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge of all or any of the functions conferred on it under, or pursuant to this Decree (Act).
    From what laws does the NBC derive its powers?
    NBC derives its powers from Act 38 of 1992 and Act 55 of 1999 as amended.
    Who performed these functions before the NBC?
    Before NBC was established, these functions were partly
    performed by the Federal Ministry of Information and partly
    by the Federal Ministry of Communications.
    How are the functions of the NBC different from those of the NCC?
    NBC controls and regulates the broadcasting industry while NCC
    controls and regulates the telecommunications industry.

     

 
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