By
Ahmad Deedat Zakari
The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has imposed N2 million sanction on Arise TV for broadcasting fake news.
NBC Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Helah, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The Director-General described the action of Arise TV as an unfortunate breach of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, grossly unprofessional and insensitive.
“This is the most unfortunate breach of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and gross display of unprofessionalism and insensitivity by your organization at this time of electioneering,” he said.
The Director-General argued that Nigeria’s extant laws on broadcasting clearly prohibited fake news. He added that the NBC has taken its time to enlighten broadcasters on the provisions of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and the Electoral Act as the 2023 General election approaches.
Consequent of the breach, the NBC sanctioned Arise TV and requested they pay the sum of N2 million naira with two weeks.
“Consequently, pursuant to Section 5.1. 3 of the Nigerian 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,” the statement reads.
Arise TV maliciously reported that the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmad Tinubu is under investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of alleged forfeiture in a US Court. Arise TV had admitted their guilt and apologized to the party and person involved.
