TheNewsGuru

Tag: Arise TV

  • NBC imposes N2m penalty on Arise TV

    NBC imposes N2m penalty on Arise TV

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has imposed a penalty of N2 million on Arise TV News for alleged violations of Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    The Director-General of NBC, Malam Shehu Illelah, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    “On Saturday Nov. 12, the commission monitored the use of a press release purportedly signed by Mr Festus Okoye, a National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by Arise TV.

    “The said press release alleged that INEC was investigating the issue of forfeiture by a United States Court
    against the presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a view to prosecution.

    “The press release in reference has been tagged fake by INEC and the organisation has also issued a counter press release to refute the story.”

    Illelah recalled that NBC, between September 19 and 26, 2022, went round the country to sensitise broadcasters and reminded them of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the Electoral Act as the country counts down to 2023 General Elections.

    He said the NBC also underscored the need for broadcasters to double check the veracity of any information, especially, those from the Social Media (User Generated Content UGC) which is, specifically affirmed by Section 5.6.5. of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    “Likewise, we draw attention to section 5.0.1 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which 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. These include truthfulness, accuracy, fairness, objectivity, and impartiality.

    “Furthermore, section 5.1.3 of the Code says fake news is prohibited. News is the most potent of all broadcasts and therefore, the editorial responsibility of the broadcaster is sacrosanct. Every news item must be verified.”

    Illelah said that the commission, along with stakeholders, have been working towards a free and fair 2023 general elections and enjoined broadcasters to continue to perform their duties professionally, in order to bring about a successful democratic process.

    “Nevertheless, the commission uses this opportunity to warn all broadcasters to adhere to the provisions of
    the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, regulations and other extant Laws, as it will not hesitate to sanction any Broadcaster that contravenes the above requirements.

  • Traffic violation: Arise TV presenter, Oseni fined N70,000

    Traffic violation: Arise TV presenter, Oseni fined N70,000

    Popular Arise TV presenter, Oseni Rufai, has been fined for traffic violations in Lagos state.

    Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Command Public Relations Officer, disclosed this on Tuesday in an update release.

    Hundeyin wrote, “Mr. Rufai Oseni was in court earlier today. He was found guilty of contravening Lagos State Transport Law (2018).

    “He was subsequently fined Seventy Thousand Naira Only. He made the payment, after which his vehicle was released to him.”

    Recall that Mr. Rufai Oseni had earlier tweeted that “A Nigerian police officer pointed a gun at me and forcefully took my keys and drove my car off because he wanted to enforce a traffic infraction.”

     

  • SERAP gives NBC 48 hours to rescind N9m fine on Channels TV, Arise, AIT

    SERAP gives NBC 48 hours to rescind N9m fine on Channels TV, Arise, AIT

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fined three broadcast stations – Channels Television, Arise Television and Africa Independent Television – N3 million each for their coverage of the #EndSARS protests.

    NBC Director-General Prof. Armstrong Idachaba in a press conference in Abuja on Monday described their coverage as “unprofessional”.

    “Channels Television, Arise TV and AIT especially continued to transmit footages obtained from unverified and unauthenticated social media sources. No doubt these pictures stimulated anger and heightened the violence that was witnessed during the crisis,” Idachaba said.

    In addition to the fine on AIT, the broadcast industry regulator said it is considering seizing the station’s licence over a false report that the National Ecumenical Centre was set ablaze.

    Last week, the NBC warned all broadcast stations against reporting the #EndSARS protests in a manner that could embarrass the government or private individuals or cause disaffection, incite panic or rift in the society.

    Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned NBC’s action.

    “This action by NBC is yet another example of Nigerian authorities’ push to silence independent media and voices. NBC should drop the fines and uphold Nigerian constitution and international obligations to respect and protect freedom of expression and media freedom. We will sue NBC if the unconstitutional fines are not rescinded within 48 hours,” a statement by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare read.

    “This is a new low in Nigeria’s protection of freedom of expression, and the ability of independent media to function in the country. The fines are detrimental to media freedom, and access to information, and the NBC must immediately withdraw the decision.”

    SERAP further said: “President Muhammadu Buhari should caution the NBC to stop intimidating and harassing independent media houses and to respect the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

  • BREAKING: NBC sanctions Arise TV , Channels, AIT over Lekki shooting

    BREAKING: NBC sanctions Arise TV , Channels, AIT over Lekki shooting

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sanctioned three major broadcast stations over their alleged roles in escalation of violence across the nation.

    The regulators fined Arise TV, African Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television between N2million and N3million.

    The stations were accused of airing unverified images of the alleged shooting.

    The protest, which began on a peaceful note has since turned violent, with many states experiencing wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties.

    More to follow…