SNB Will Reposition Broadcast Industry, Not Duplicate Regulatory Mandate – BON
Coming on the heels of reactions which trailed the bill to legalize the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), promoter of the bill, Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), has maintained that the body aims to compliment efforts of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to reposition the media landscape not to override its functions.
Speaking on this development, Executive Secretary of BON, Dr. Yemisi Bamigbose, while affirming that the focus of SNB is to promote professional excellence through trainings and mentorship, noted that infringements will be minimized as the body will oversee the conducts of broadcasters in line with ethical standards.
He said: “The Bill is primarily seeking for Legislative backing for the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters to bring together those practicing Broadcasting as a profession for better performance through regular training, seminars and workshops, collaboration, knowledge sharing and mentoring. If there is a body that is now bringing people together, teaching them about self-regulation, about the ethics of the profession, infringements will be minimized.”
“The idea of this Society came into being far back in 1960 through Ambassador Segun Olusola of blessed memory. It was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 1993 by Ambassador
Yemi Farounbi, Elder Diran Orekunrin, Mr. Ikenna Ngbaduga and Alhaji Abdulraham Michika all of whom were working in NTA, FRCN and Voice of Nigeria as at that time with the Headquarters in NTA, Victoria Island,” he added.
According to him, the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters do not seek to duplicate the regulatory functions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission but to regulate the professionals as obtainable in other professions where a body is instituted to coordinate the activities of members for optimal professional output.
“Permit me to say at this juncture that Society of Nigerian Broadcasters
is not to regulate the Broadcasting Sector. The business of regulating and managing the spectrum and monitoring of the content is primarily the job of the National Broadcasting Commission as assigned to it by law. SNB does not have anything to do against NBC in any way. It is going to complement the work of NBC.”
The BON representative, who revealed that the body currently has more than seven hundred members, expressed optimism that the broadcast profession will witness a paradigm shift with the constitution of a body saddled with the responsibility to ensure high professional standards by engaging with professionals.