House passes bill to regulate broadcasting practices

The House of Representatives has approved a bill to regulate the broadcasting profession in Nigeria for a second reading.

Hon. Olaifa Jimoh Aremu is the sponsor of the proposed legislation, titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Regulation and Conduct of the Practice of Broadcasting Profession in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB.1150).’

Aremu, who presented the Bill for second reading in the plenary on Thursday, said it aims to establish a regulatory authority to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria, as well as set academic requirements and ethical standards for broadcasters, broadcast journalists, and broadcast practitioners.

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He also stated that the Bill proposes that a person is only qualified to practice as a broadcaster or be identified as one if they have obtained or attained the prescribed academic or standard of training set by the council and have been certified and registered to practice as a broadcaster by the council.

He explained that a person can be qualified to practice as a broadcaster if, prior to the commencement of the Act, he or she obtained the necessary practical knowledge, training, or experience in a recognized academic institution, broadcasting station, or organization, which will entitle the council, upon verification, to certify him or her as a broadcaster and register him or her to continue to practice as such.

“There shall be established a body to be known as the Broadcasting Practitioners Council (in this Act referred to as ‘the Council’), which shall consist of broadcasting practitioners of the highest distinction in the broadcasting profession in Nigeria,” he says. The council shall be a perpetual succession corporation with a common seal. The council will be responsible for and undertake the following general responsibilities.

“Formal admission, certification, and registration of people who want to work in the broadcasting industry.” Formal admittance, recognition, or certification for deserving individuals who have been trained, practicing, or employed as broadcasting practitioners prior to the passage of this Act.

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Prescripting, deciding, and setting the standard of knowledge and abilities required of anyone wishing to join the broadcasting profession, as well as periodically revising such criteria. regulating and controlling the conduct of the broadcasting profession’s practice.”

The bill was voted on and referred to the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values for a second reading.