LIFESTYLE Culture

Otu Urges BON To Strengthen Professional Standards In Broadcasting

by admin on | 2026-10-09 11:15:30

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By Maryam Yahya

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has been urged to develop practical frameworks for strengthening professional standards and accountability in radio and television broadcasting.

The governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, made the call while declaring open the 82nd General Assembly of BON in Calabar, the state capital.

Governor Otu said that the need for higher professional standards had become more urgent because broadcast content has the capacity to shape public opinion, influence values and affect the conduct of young people.

He warned that irresponsible, divisive and poorly verified content could deepen social polarisation and expose young people to harmful ideologies.

According to him, the BON General Assembly provided an opportunity for the organisation to “develop practical frameworks that strengthen ethical broadcasting, promote responsible editorial judgment and ensure greater accountability” for content transmitted to the public.

Otu said that his administration remained committed to a free, responsible and vibrant media, noting that this commitment had also been demonstrated through investments in state-owned broadcasting institutions.

The governor listed the installation of a 1-kilowatt terrestrial television transmitter, 10-kilowatt and 2-kilowatt radio transmitters, a 33KVA substation and a 200KVA transmitter power system among the interventions.

Otu further said that the investments had strengthened the capacity of the state-owned media to reach diverse audiences through terrestrial and digital platforms.

He described Cross River as a media-friendly state and wished delegates to the 82nd General Assembly fruitful deliberations and progressive outcomes.

Supporting the Industry.

In his remarks, the BON chairman, Sir Tony Akiot, called on the Nigerian Government to urgently support the broadcast industry, warning that rising operational costs were a threat to the survival of radio and television stations across the country.

Akiotu, who was represented by the Vice Chairman of the organisation, Yusuf Alhaji Idaho, said that the high cost of diesel and other petroleum products, unreliable electricity supply, exorbitant tariffs and the rising cost of imported broadcast equipment were making operations increasingly difficult.

He said, "Many radio and television stations have shut down operations, while many others are struggling to maintain reduced daily transmission."

The BON chairman urged the government to formulate deliberate policies to keep broadcast media organisations afloat, particularly in view of their role in providing information and supporting democratic and economic development.

He also appealed to state governments to support private broadcast stations operating within their jurisdictions, noting that such stations disseminate information on government activities to the public.

The opening ceremony of BON's 82nd General Assembly featured Goodwill messages by stakeholders in the industry including the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace.

The event had the theme: "Broadcast Media - Bedrock of Democratic and Economic Advancement in Nigeria.