Broadcast code: NBC fines Arise TV, TVC N2m

Arise Global Media Limited and Continental Broadcasting Services Limited will each pay N2m fines for violating Nigeria’s broadcasting codes, the National Broadcasting Commission announced on Friday.

In separate letters signed by its director general, Balarabellelah, the media watchdog said the parent companies that operate Arise News and Television Continental, respectively, have allowed politically inflammatory language on their platforms.

The NBC also said that TVC News does not provide equal coverage to political parties other than the All Progressives Congress.

The sanctions come just 21 days before presidential and gubernatorial elections due to take place on February 25, 2023.

In a letter to Continental Broadcasting Services Limited, Ilelah said that for a period of time, the NBC has been monitoring Nigeria’s consistent breach of broadcast code, adding that “the worrying trend has become a branding on your channel that enjoys nationwide coverage.”

It read: “At 12:29 AM on January 6, 2023, the Joint Media Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, made the following comments while briefing the media.

“Obasanjo and Atiku run a criminal enterprise, an empire of fraud in Abuja. At the same time that Ahmed Bola Asiwaju was working hard, beautifully and meticulously to rebuild Lagos, 2 criminals were stealing money in Abuja at that time…they both stole from the SPV account.

“On January 24, 2023, at 3:39 PM, during the APC Presidential Rally in Abia State, after telling the public to vote for APC under the symbol of broom, the APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu made the following comment : ‘…You know what you do with the rest? They are like lizards, cockroaches and mosquitoes. Just grab the broom and sweep them away.

It also accused the station of uneven coverage of the activities of the main opposition.

Illelah wrote: “On October 10, 2022, your station started its news with 17 minutes of APC news and one minute of PDP story with a video clip not playing.

“Consequently, in accordance with the aforementioned sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, TVC News is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a fine of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira only).

“Note that the fine will be paid within two weeks of receipt of this letter, otherwise the penalty will be graduated,” the NBC said.

In a letter to Arise Global Media Limited, the Commission said: “For the avoidance of doubt, some such unprofessional broadcasts are listed below for your perusal.

“On January 24, 2023, between 1:00 PM – 2:27 PM, Arise TV broadcast the PDP presidential campaign rally that took place in Delta State, full of dishonest remarks and mockery of the APC presidential candidate by Dino Melaye.

“Mr. Melaye sang a song ‘…hand dey shake, leg dey shake, baba wey no well, e dey shout emilokan’ and then fell down to show the vulnerability of the APC presidential candidate.

It argued that Arise TV not only aired the program but repeated Dino Melaye’s clip in a mockery of the APC presidential candidate in another program anchored by Ojy Okpe What’s Trending.

“On January 26, 2023, at 9:40 a.m., during the Morning Show program, a guest, Na’jaatu Muhammed, described APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as mentally disturbed with no warning from the anchor. The dude had a field day with swear words against the APC presidential candidate.

“On January 31, 2023, at 3:30 PM, during the broadcast of the PDP presidential meeting in Sokoto State, Dino Melaye referred to APC vice presidential candidate Kashim Shettima as GCOB, meaning Grand Commander of Bandits.

“Consequently, in accordance with the aforementioned sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Arise TV is hereby sanctioned and will pay a fine of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira only),” the letter read.

The penalty will be paid within two weeks of receiving the letter or the penalty will be kicked out, the NBC warned.