Section 17: Power of the Council to direct publication of apology or correction and to reprimand, etc.

(1) Where, after inquiring into a complaint under section 16 of this Act, the Council is satisfied that-
(a)
the subject matter in respect of which the complaint was made, was not in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct;
[1999 No. 60.]
(b)
the conduct of the journalist in respect of whom the complaint was made was not in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection;
[1999 No. 60.]
(c) the conduct of a journalist or person is, in the circumstances of the case, blameworthy,
the Council may, where appropriate, direct the medium of information or cause the person concerned to publish, in such manner as the Council may direct, a suitable apology or correction, and may in addition reprimand the journalist or person concerned in the matter.
(2) Every medium of information in respect of whose publication the Council has given a decision under subsection (1) of this section, shall publish the decision and shall comply with the Council's direction in respect thereof.
(3) Where the medium of information or the journalist so sanctioned in accordance with subsection (1) of this section does not comply with the Council's decisions, the medium or journalist is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction-
(a) in the case of a body corporate to a fine of N30,000; and
(b)
in the case of a journalist to a fine of N2,000 and the Council shall order the suspension of the journalist from practice for a period not exceeding six months.
[1999 No. 60.]
(4) Where there is persistent refusal to comply with the directives of the Council, the medium or journalist so sanctioned in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, commits of an offence and is liable on conviction-
(a) in the case of a body corporate to a fine of N100,000; and
(b)
in the case of a journalist to a fine of N15,000,
or in an extreme case, the Council shall order the striking out of the name of the journalist from the register.
[1999 No. 60.]
(5)
The Council may cause to be published in the Press Journal and in such other manner as the Council may deem fit the name of any journalist reprimanded by the Council under subsection (1) of this section.
[1999 No. 60.]