FG Warns Arise TV Over Alleged  “Derogatory And Incendiary Remarks”

By Adesina Soyooye

The Federal  Government has issued a “Final Warning To Arise TV”.

In the letter the FG urged the TV station to have what it called a “delay mechanism to guard against undesirable contents.”

The Federal Government’s warning was issued through the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

It accused  Arise Television of making derogatory and incendiary remarks. The letter was signed by NBC’s Director General, Dr Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, and dated October 6, 2023.

Addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Arise Global Media Limited, it also urged Arise TV  “to keep to its responsibility of keeping its guest on check.”

The letter titled:

“Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: final warning” 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 guest that may feature on the station from time to time.

“The commission listed the station’s morning show programme on 5th October 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 Labour Party) who used derogatory remarks on air.

“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 prescribe in section 5.5.6 of the broadcasting code.”

The NBC is in the condemnable habit of imposing outrageous fines on Broadcast Stations on one flimsy excuse or the other.