The House of Representatives has passed for third reading a Bill seeking to regulate the practice of the Broadcasting Profession in Nigeria.
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),’ is sponsored by Olaifa Jimoh Aremu.
The Bill seeks to establish a regulatory authority to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria, set required academic qualifications and ethical standards for broadcasters, broadcast journalists or broadcasting practitioners.
He also said it the Bill proposes that a person shall be qualified to practice as a broadcaster or be identified as a broadcaster only if such person has acquired or attained the prescribed academic or standard of training set by the council and such person has been so certified and registered to practice as a broadcaster by the council.
On qualification to practice as a broadcaster, it explained that one can also be qualified if prior to the commencement of the Act, such person has acquired requisite practical knowledge, training or experience in a recognised academic institution or broadcasting station or organisation, which shall entitle the council upon verification, to certify him or her as a broadcaster and register him to continue to practice as such.
“There shall be established a body to be known as the Broadcasting Practitioners Council (in this Act called ‘the Council’) which shall comprise of broadcasting practitioners of the highest distinction in the broadcasting profession in Nigeria. The council shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal. The council shall be charged with the responsibility and performance of the following general duties. Formal admission, certification and registration of persons seeking to become broadcasting practitioners. Formal admission, conferment of recognition or certification on deserving persons who have been trained or have been practicing or working as broadcasting practitioners prior to the commencement of this Act.
The bill is also to prescribe, determine and set the standard of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the broadcasting profession and reviewing those standards from time to time. Regulating and controlling the conduct of the practice of broadcasting profession.”
The Bill was referred to the Committee on the whole.
Female Genital Mutilators
In another development, the lawmakers passed through second reading a Bill for an Act to amend the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 to increase the penalty for the offence of female genital mutilation.
The Bill sponsored by Ganiyu Johnson seeks imprisonment of four years or a fine not exceeding N200,000.00 for any person who performs female genital mutilation or engages another to carry out such circumcision.
In his lead debate, Johnson said the amendment proposed to section 6(2) of the Act is as follows: “6 (2) Any person who performs female circumcision or genital mutilation or engages another to carry out such circumcision or mutilation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding one million naira or to both.”
The lawmaker expressed optimism that an amendment of the said section 6 would go a long was in deterring persons from engaging in the unwholesome practice of female genital mutilation.
“A UNICEF survey recently revealed that in Nigeria, one out of four girls and one out of ten boys suffers from sexual molestation and about one out of ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Among factors that encourages the commission of such unwholesome practices like female genital mutilation is lack of adequate sanctions.
“Female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, excision or genital cutting, comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injuries to the genital organs for non-medical reasons, mostly carried out between infancy and age 15.
“The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women. Because it is usually performed without permission and often against will, it violates girls’ right to make important decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Reports show that, 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone a form of genital mutilation (FGM).
“An additional 2 million girls could undergo female genital mutilation by 2030 as a result of Covid-19. It is for this reason that this Bill is proposed, to review the sanctions provided within the VAPP Act, so as to give it the required deterrence it deserves,” he added.
Source: Voice of Nigeria