By Solomon OKPO
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has called on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to strengthen the proposed Bill establishing the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation by incorporating provisions that guarantee editorial independence, digital transformation, journalists’ protection, transparency, and cybersecurity safeguards.
The appeal was made by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, during a public hearing on the Bill organized by the House Committee on Information on Wednesday.
Presenting a comprehensive memorandum to lawmakers, the NUJ described the proposed corporation as a strategic opportunity for Akwa Ibom State to build a modern public service broadcaster capable of competing effectively in today’s rapidly evolving digital media environment.
While commending the House of Assembly for providing stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the legislative process, the union observed that the current draft of the Bill is largely anchored on traditional broadcasting models and falls short of addressing the realities of modern media operations.
According to the union, contemporary broadcasting extends beyond conventional radio and television services to include internet streaming, social media broadcasting, podcasting, multimedia publishing, artificial intelligence, data journalism, and other emerging communication technologies.
The NUJ expressed concern over provisions in the Bill that empower the Governor and the Commissioner to issue directives to the proposed corporation, warning that such powers could compromise editorial
independence and erode public trust.
“The Corporation cannot effectively function as an independent public broadcaster if editorial decisions remain susceptible to political influence,” the memorandum stated.
To safeguard the credibility of the institution, the union proposed the inclusion of a statutory provision guaranteeing professional and editorial independence in news gathering, content production, programme scheduling, and editorial decision-making.
The Council also recommended that the corporation’s mandate be expanded to expressly cover digital broadcasting, online media operations, podcasting, internet streaming, and future communication technologies to ensure long-term relevance.
On governance, the NUJ advocated a more inclusive board structure with representation from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), civil society organisations, persons with disabilities, media law practitioners, creative industry stakeholders, and information technology experts.
The union further urged lawmakers to professionalise the appointment process for the Director-General by reserving the position for qualified media professionals with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience, subject to confirmation by the House of Assembly.
Recognising the growing role of technology in broadcasting, the Council proposed the establishment of specialised departments such as Digital Media Services, New Media and Innovation, and Research, Data and Audience Analytics.
In a bid to tackle misinformation and fake news, the NUJ called for the creation of a statutory Fact-Checking and Verification Unit responsible for content verification, monitoring digital misinformation, and promoting media literacy.
The union also sought legal protections for journalists and employees of the corporation against victimisation, suspension, dismissal, or discrimination arising from the lawful discharge of their professional responsibilities.
Additionally, it recommended the establishment of an independent Ombudsman Office to receive public complaints, review disputed broadcasts, recommend corrective actions, and ensure adherence to ethical standards.
The memorandum noted that the Bill does not sufficiently address cybersecurity and data protection issues despite the increasing digitalisation of broadcasting operations. It therefore urged strict compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, Cybercrime Act, and internationally recognised digital security standards.
To preserve the state’s cultural heritage and broadcasting history, the NUJ proposed the creation of a Digital Broadcast Archive for historical recordings, audiovisual materials, and indigenous cultural content.
The union also stressed the importance of continuous capacity building, recommending mandatory annual training programmes in digital journalism, artificial intelligence literacy, data journalism, and emerging broadcast technologies.
As part of efforts to promote inclusivity, the Council called for provisions that would ensure sign language interpretation, closed captioning, and disability-friendly digital platforms.
To strengthen accountability and public confidence, the NUJ proposed regular publication of annual reports, audited financial statements, procurement records, and performance reports on the corporation’s website.
The union further advised the corporation to diversify its revenue base through digital advertising, streaming subscriptions, podcast monetisation, content licensing, syndication, documentary sales, and intellectual property commercialisation to reduce dependence on government funding.
It also advocated a robust local content policy that would prioritise indigenous languages, cultural programming, creative industry productions, and locally produced content that reflects Akwa Ibom’s heritage and identity.
Reaffirming its support for the establishment of the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, the NUJ maintained that the institution should be developed as a technologically advanced, independent, transparent, and globally competitive multimedia public service broadcaster rather than a mere successor to the existing state-owned broadcasting structure.
The union urged the House Committee on Information and the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to adopt its recommendations to ensure the proposed corporation effectively serves the information needs and democratic aspirations of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
