Amnesty Int’l slams NBC for trying to gag the media to gag robust public discourse
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Amnesty International (AI) has condemned the “final warning” issued to Arise News by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) which listed a number of its grouses against the station over alleged unfavourable reportage on Bola Tinubu before and after he became President.
The NBC gave the warning to the broadcaster for “use of derogatory and incendiary remarks on its programmes.”
The warning, dated October 6 and signed by NBC Director General Balarabe Ilelah, directed the station to install a “delay mechanism to avoid unwanted content.”
The final warning came eight months after the NBC imposed a fine of N2 million on Arise News for allegedly breaching the National Broadcasting Code.
“Targeting Arise TV simply for doing their work sends the wrong message that Nigerian authorities are not prepared to be held accountable,” Amnesty International lamented, per The Guardian.
“Nigerian authorities must stop the unrelenting quest to silence media organisations like Arise TV, which are crucial to ensuring independent and diverse media space in the country, and fulfilling people’s right to information.
“Using regulations as a way to silence independent journalism is completely unacceptable.”
‘Preponderance of incendiary remarks’
The warning letter, which Illelah addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Arise Global Media Limited, is titled “Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: Final warning”.
It said: “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.”
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‘Defaulting on responsibility’
The NBC also accused Arise News of defaulting on its responsibility while airing its Newsday programme which featured the spokesperson of the Labour Party (LP), Kenneth Okonkwo, who, it said, used derogatory remarks on air, per The PUNCH.
“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 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.”
Illelah insisted 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.
He narrated previous incidents which he explained led to Arise News being fined.
“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).”