By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has revealed why media practitioners are opposed to attempts by the federal government to tinker with Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act and regulate online media.
He also criticized the manner the National Assembly (NASS) invited Stakeholders in the media industry for the botched Public Hearing conducted by Senate Committee on Information and Communications.
Speaking on Monday on Channels Television breakfast programme Sunrise Daily, NUJ boss who appeared on the programme with Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah argued that federal government ought to have engaged Media Stakeholders before hand on the proposed NBC Amendment Act which is before the Senate.
According to him, Media Stakeholders are opposed to attempts to amend the NBC Act and the request by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed that Online Media should also be regulated by the federal government.
Said he: “The Media can regulate itself or at worst let the Media experts drive the process of regulating the industry. If government is allowed to regulate the Media nobody knows what can come out of it.
“I agree that there is need to regulate the Media but there is also the need for both government and the Stakeholders to come together to find a middle ground”, Isiguzo said.
On the proposed Online Media Regulation by the government, the NUJ President said Media Stakeholders have also kicked against it because the regulation of Online Media will affect the mainstream media too.
“It is clear that in Nigeria today like in other climes, mainstream media is operating in the Social Media like the Online Media. Every mainstream media these days are also doing Online Publication just like Online Media. They include newspapers, television and radio stations”, he insisted.
However, Senator Na’Allah disagreed with the NUJ President arguing that there is need to regulate the Nigeria Media for national interest, pointing out that not regulating the Media will have negative effects on Nigerian society.
Na’Allah who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Airforce also said he will ensure the Bill seeking for the amendment of the NBC Act and Regulation of Online Media is passed into law by NASS.
He defended the action of the Senate not invite Media Stakeholders properly for the botched Public Hearing.
Said he: “It is not unusual to invite interested parties to a bill on the eve of the Public Hearing. In fact, it is normal in Nigeria because you don’t expect to receive your invitation to a function until its over.
“I can confirm that I have been invited to functions by my colleagues in the National Assembly Complex but received the invitation days after the function has passed”, the lawmaker said.
