The NBC also accused Arise TV of defaulting on its responsibility while airing its Newsday programme.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a final warning to the broadcaster, Arise TV, over “derogatory and incendiary remarks” on its programmes.
In a letter dated October 6, 2023 and addressed to the chief executive officer of Arise Global Media Limited, NBC’s Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah, urged the broadcast channel to install a delay mechanism to avoid unwanted content.
The letter reads partly, “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.
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“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.”
This comes eight months after the NBC fined Arise TV N2 million for breaching Nigeria’s broadcasting codes.
Among the offences, the commission said Arise TV aired a PDP rally “replete with unfair remarks and mockery of the APC presidential candidate by Dino Melaye”.
It also said the channel repeated the clip of Melaye in a mockery of the APC presidential candidate in another programme anchored by Ojy Okpe.