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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sanctioned Arise Television for broadcasting a fake press release purportedly signed by Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The press release, which was circulated on social media over the weekend, said that INEC is investigating the use of forfeiture by a US Court against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with a view to prosecuting him.
But INEC debunked the statement, describing it as fake.
However, the NBC in a letter signed on Monday by its Director General, Balarabe Shehu Illelah, and addressed to the management of Arise Television, slammed a N2 million fine on the station for the” most unfortunate breach of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and gross display of unprofessionalism and insensitivity by your organization at this time of electioneering.”
“It would be recalled that the National Broadcasting Commission, between 19 and 26 of September, 2022, went round the country to sensitize broadcasters and remind them on the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the Electoral Act as we count down to the 2023 General Elections. The Commission also underscored the need for broadcasters to double check the veracity of any information especially those from the Social Media. (User Generated Content, UCG) Ref: Nigeria Broadcasting Code 5.6.5. News is the most potent of all broadcast and therefore the editorial responsibility of the broadcasters is sacrosanct. Every news items must be verified. And Section 5.0.1 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code provides that News shall be presented as a truthful and accurate account of an event or phenomenon…. News requires the highest level of responsibility by practitioners in adhering to the most pristine of their professional ethics. This includes truthfulness, accuracy, fairness, objectivity, impartiality…” he said.
Ilelah also noted that Section 5.1.3 of the NBC code says “FAKE NEWS IS PROHIBITED.”
“Although, your station has tendered apology to the presidential candidate of APC after the professional glitch, the Commission expects broadcasters to ensure utmost professionalism as anything contrary may have grave consequences.
“Consequently, pursuant to Section 5.1.3 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Arise TV is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of 2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira only)
“Note that the penalty shall be paid within two weeks of the receipt of this letter or sanction shall be graduated,” he added.