The National Broadcasting Commission on Friday issued a
final warning to Arise Television over what it called the use of derogatory and
incendiary remarks on its programmes.
In a warning letter dated October 6, 2023, and signed by
NBC’s Director-General, Dr Balarabe Ilelah, the Commission urged the TV station
to install a delay mechanism to avoid unwanted content.
The warning comes eight months after the Commission fined
Arise TV N2m for breaching Nigeria’s broadcasting codes.
Illelah’s letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer,
Arise Global Media Limited, is titled “Preponderance of derogatory and
incendiary remarks: final warning”.
It read in part, “The NBC has observed with concern
preponderance of incendiary remarks allowed on Arise news. This letter seeks to
underscore the tremendous responsibility put on the broadcaster to manage the
array of guests that may feature on the station from time to time.
“The commission listed the station’s morning show programme
on October 5 anchored by Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Maio-Ese, which
featured Oladokun Hassan and Dele Farotimi as guests.
“The programme contained unguarded incendiary remarks by
Dele Farotimi against the Legislature and the Executive, the Judiciary and Mr.
President.”
The NBC also accused Arise TV of defaulting on its
responsibility while airing its Newsday programme which featured the
Spokesperson of the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo, who, it said, used
derogatory remarks on air.
“The commission
therefore drew the attention of the broadcast station to broadcast rule and
code 1.10.3, 3.3.1(a), 3.3.3(c), 3.3.1 (e), 5.3.3(b) and 5.5.6.
“Arise TV is advised to install a delay mechanism to guard
against undesirable contents as prescribed in section 5.5.6 of the broadcasting
code,” the letter read.
On February 3, 2023, NBC fined Arise TV N2m for
“unprofessional broadcasts”.
Listing the broadcasts, the letter wrote, “On January 24,
2023, between 1: 00 pm – 2: 27pm, Arise TV aired the Presidential campaign
rally of PDP which was held in Delta State, replete with unfair remarks and
mockery of the APC presidential candidate by Dino Melaye.
“Mr. Melaye sang a song ‘…hand dey shake, leg dey shake,
baba wey no well, e dey shout emilokan’ he further went on to fall down
demonstrating the frailty of the APC presidential candidate.”
It argued that Arise TV did not only air the programme but
repeated the clip of Dino Melaye in a mockery of the APC Presidential candidate
in another programme anchored by Ojy Okpe What’s Trending.
“On January 26, 2023, at 9: 40 am, during the programme
Morning Show, a guest, Na’jaatu Muhammed described the Presidential Candidate
of APC, Bola Tinubu as mentally deranged without caution from the anchor. The
guest had a field day with vituperations against the presidential candidate of
the APC.
“On January 31, 2023, at 3:30 pm, during the broadcast of
the PDP presidential rally in Sokoto State, Dino Melaye referred to the
Vice-Presidential candidate of APC, Kashim Shettima as GCOB, meaning Grand
Commander of Bandits.
“Consequently, pursuant to the aforementioned Sections of
the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Arise TV is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a
penalty of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira Only),” the letter read.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com