Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that online news platforms would soon be regulated.
Speaking on Thursday at the inauguration of a seven-man committee set up to implement reforms in the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Mohammed said that the reforms to be implemented by the committee are recommendations approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
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According to him, Buhari has approved an amendment to the NBC Act to enable it license WebTv and radio stations, including foreign broadcasters beaming signals into the country.
The minister said the president also approved the upward review of fines from N500,000 to N5 million for breaches relating to hate speeches and the upgrade of political comments relating to the same to ‘Class A’ offence in the broadcasting code.
“I have no doubt that this committee, which comprises highly-experienced professionals and administrators, will carry out a thorough job that will reposition the NBC as an effective and efficient regulator,” Mohammed said.
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The committee comprises NBC director of monitoring (chairman), Armstrong Idachaba; acting chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Godfrey Ohuabunwa; director, legal services, ministry of information and culture, J.K. Ehicheoya.
Others are secretary, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Binta Bello; director of administration, FRCN, Ibrahim Jimoh; NBC board member, Agbo Ndubuisi; and chief press secretary, ministry of information and culture (secretary), Joe Mutah.
