Citing interviews with pro-Labour Party personalities Dele Farotimi and Kenneth Okonkwo, the National Broadcasting Commission has accused Arise Television of allowing unguarded and incendiary statements on air.
It 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. , ‘The Punch’ writes.
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 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.
