The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has raised the alarm that many radio and television stations across the country have shut down operations while others are struggling to stay on air due to harsh economic conditions.

Chairman of BON, High Chief Tony Akiotu, raised the alarm in Calabar while delivering his address at the opening ceremony of the 82nd General Assembly of BON with the theme: Broadcast Media – Bedrock of democratic and economic advancement in Nigeria.

Akiotu, whose address was delivered by Isah Yusuf, said, “the high cost of diesel and other petroleum products, epileptic public power supply, exorbitant tariffs and the devaluation of the naira which has made importation of broadcast equipment difficult, have made operations almost unbearable.”

“Many radio and television stations have shut down operations, while many others are struggling to maintain reduced daily transmission as a result of unbearable operational costs,” he said.

He called on the Federal and State Governments to come to the rescue of the broadcast industry with a deliberate policy to keep media houses afloat, warning that the situation has reached an alarming stage.

The BON Chairman also appealed to State Governors to support both public and private broadcast stations in their domains, noting that private stations disseminate government activities to the people without charge.

Akiotu also condemned rising cases of sponsored arrests, intimidation and detention of journalists and warned against political thuggery and invasion of media houses as electioneering intensifies.

The BON chairman commended President Bola Tinubu for displaying the political will and courage to confront the issues of insecurity ravaging the country, and the security agencies for their sacrifices.

He, however, tasked both federal and state governments to continue working together to ensure that Nigerians can live anywhere without fear of attack, kidnapping or killing.

Declaring the 82nd Assembly open, Governor Bassey Otu said his administration is media-friendly and has invested heavily in broadcast infrastructure including new transmitters and digital upgrades to keep state media afloat.

Represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, the governor urged BON to use the Assembly to enforce ethical standards, warning that divisive and unverified content could deepen polarisation among youths.

Earlier, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, said Governor Otu has already transitioned CRBC from diesel to hybrid solar-powered operations to cut costs, while also revamping the Nigerian Chronicle and Printing Press.

He assured that the Governor, who inherited financial constraints, is investing in projects that expand the state’s economic base to sustain development. (The Sun)