NBC issues stern warning to Arise TV over derogatory remarks

The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has issued a strong warning to Arise TV not to use disparaging or provocative words in its programming.

The warning is coming on the heels of the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic records, recently released by the Chicago State University.

The TV station has interviewed a number of guests in an effort to educate the public on the probable ramifications of the president’s certificate, which the opposition claims does not match the one filed with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the last election.

However, in a letter sent to the Arise TV station on Friday by the NBC’s Director General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, the NBC voiced concern that some of the visitors use insulting language during interviews.

The broadcast regulator ordered Arise TV to implement a delay mechanism to protect against inappropriate content, stating that guests should always be kept under check.

The letter titled “Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: final warning” reads in part: “The NBC has observed with concern the 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 who may feature on the station from time to time.

“The commission listed the station’s morning show programme on October 5th, 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 station was also accused of not keeping to its responsibility while airing its programme “Newsday,”  which featured Kenneth Okonkwo (Spokesperson of the Labour Party), who used derogatory remarks on air.

The commission, therefore, drew the attention of the broadcast station to broadcast rules and codes 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 latter stated.

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