NBC Slams Arise TV Final Warning Over ‘Derogatory, Incendiary’ Remarks

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given the operators of Arise Television final warning on alleged violation of Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu llelah, gave the warning in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Arise Global Limited on Saturday in Abuja. In the letter titled “Preponderance of Derogatory and Incendiary Remarks: Final Warning”, Ilelah said the commission had observed with concern, the preponderance of incendiary remarks allowed on Arise News. “This letter once again seeks to underscore the tremendous responsibility put on the broadcaster to manage array of guests that may feature on the station from time to time. “For the benefit of doubt, on October 5 during the programme – ‘The Morning Show’, anchored by Reuben Abati, Rufai Useni and Ayo Mairo Ese, featured Oladotun Hassan and Dele Farotimi as guests. “The programme contained unguarded incendiary remarks by Dele Farotimi against the legislature, executive, judiciary and Mr President. “Similarly, On October 6, during the programme “Newsday”, it featured Kenneth Okonkwo (Spokesperson for Labour Party) who used derogatory remarks on air. “Your attention is therefore drawn to the relevant sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code for compliance please,” Ilelah said. The NBC boss explained further that section 1.10.3 says the broadcaster shall ensure that its presenter does not express his or her opinion in the programme, as a matter of professional standard. He said section 3.3.1 (a) stipulates that the broadcaster shall ensure that any information given in a programme, in whatever form, is accurate. Illelah said 3.3.3 (c) provided that the broadcaster shall be above inherent biases, prejudices and subjective mindsets. “According to section 3.3.1(e), the Broadcaster shall not treat any individual or organisation in an unjust and unfair manner in any programme. The NBC boss further explained that section 5.3.3(b) of the code stated that the broadcaster shall, in using political materials for news and current affairs programmes, avoid hate speech, inflammatory, derogatory, and divisive remarks of allusions. “Section 5.5.6 says, the broadcaster shall have a delay mechanism to guard against possible undesirable content. “Arise TV is advised to install a delay mechanism to guard against possible undesirable contents as prescribed in Section 5.5.6 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. “Please note that henceforth, your station shall be held liable for any infraction on your platform and applicable sanctions shall be imposed as prescribed by Law,” Ilelah stressed.

Kogi Guber: INEC Tasks Media On Ethics, Professionalism

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tasked media practitioners to ensure ethics in their reportage, ahead of the November 11 Kogi governorship election. Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, the Chairman, INEC, said this at a meeting with Kogi media executives in Lokoja as part of preparation for the election. Yakubu, who was represented by his media aide, Mr Rotimi Olakanmi, said that the appeal became imperative because of the reoccurring cases of fake news in the media in recent times. “As stakeholders, the media should refuse the temptation to move away from facts as being seen in the social media, where fake news has become the order of the day. “Let’s practice in accordance with the ethics of the profession and the laws of the land to help INEC succeed in its task of conducting credible, peaceful and successful election in Kogi come November 11,” he said. Earlier, Dr Gabriel Longpet, the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), described the media as critical partner and stakeholder in the hitch-free conduct of the November 11 governorship election. Longpet said that INEC was prepared and ready for the conduct of the election devoid of rancour. “All we want is for the people of the state to demonstrate a change of attitude toward election and ensure that the election is credible and peaceful. “Therefore, political actors should not do anything that will negatively affect the election, but to support the commission to succeed for the good of the state,” he said. Alhaji Mommoh Jimoh, the chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), lauded INEC for organising the meeting, which he said was the first of its kind since the creation of the state. Jimoh pleaded with INEC to provide journalists with accreditation cards and other materials needed for the smooth coverage of the poll. He assured INEC of journalists’ readiness to give the November 11 election the desired coverage for posterity.