Tinubu’s Certificate Saga: NBC Warns Arise TV Over Incendiary Remarks by Guests

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a final warning to Arise Television for allowing its guests to make derogatory and incendiary remarks on air.

The warning comes amid the controversy over President Bola Tinubu’s academic records, which have been challenged by the opposition.

Newsflash Nigeria reports that Arise TV has been hosting several guests who have been commenting on the implications of the president’s certificate, which was recently released by the Chicago State University.

The opposition has alleged that the certificate does not match the one submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the last election.

However, NBC, in a letter signed by its Director General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, on Friday, expressed concern that some of the guests have used abusive and inflammatory language during the interviews.

The broadcast regulator urged Arise TV to have a delay mechanism to filter out undesirable contents and to keep its guests in check.

The letter, titled “Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: final warning”, cited some examples of the violations committed by Arise TV.

“It mentioned 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, the Executive, the Judiciary and Mr. President.

The letter also referred to the station’s programme “Newsday”, which featured Kenneth Okonkwo, (Spokesperson of Labour Party), who used derogatory remarks on air.

The letter reminded Arise TV of its obligations under the broadcast rule and code 1.10.3, 3.3.1(a), 3.3.3©, 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.

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