The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC has issued it’s last warning to Arise Television against allowing the use of derogatory and incendiary remarks on its platform by guests.
Following the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic records recently released by the Chicago State University, Arise TV and other stations have continued to focus on analysing the topic. Consequently, many analysts have aired their opinions on the matter.
But NBC, in a letter issued to the TV station by its Director General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, on Friday, frowned at the TV station for allowing the use of derogatory words during some of the interviews it had.
NBC cited the Morning show anchored by Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and other staff, and frowned particularly at the interview with Dele Farotimi.
Even though Abati had openly stressed during the interview that all opinions expressed were those of the analysts and had cautioned the guests against such, NBC, has cautioned the platform, insisting they could employ delayed broadcast to avert such.
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 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 prescribed in section 5.5.6 of the broadcasting code.”