Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
A fine of N500,000 has been imposed on DAAR Communications, owners of AIT/Raypower over alleged “provocative, inflammatory and divisive comments” made by handlers of one of its programmes, ‘Political Platform,’ which is anchored by Mr Amaechi Anakwe.
The fine was imposed on the media giant by the industry’s watchdog, thPolical Platform on Raypowere National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
According to a statement issued by NBC’s Head of Public Affair, Mrs Maimuna Jimada, presenters of the show had allegedly violated provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code consistently.
“The Political Platform episode on July 24 was marked by sensational and heated expression of opinion by its anchors, who went on to make unproven and inciting allegations.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Director-General drew the attention of DAAR Communications to the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code: (1) Section 1.9.3:
“A presenter/anchor shall not express his or her personal opinion in a programme.”
“Also Section 5.2.7: ‘A broadcaster shall, in using political material for news, avoid taking inflammatory and divisive matter in its provocative form and Section 5.2.5 stated that political broadcasts shall be in decent language,” the statement, which was issued in Abuja on Saturday, explained.
Mrs Jimada further said before now, series of meetings had been held with management of DAAR Communications on the matter.
According to her, on May 2, 2017, August 15, 2017 and February 2018, some executives of the firm were asked to caution the anchors on their “unprofessional manners” on the programme, which boasts of large listenership.
She said the NBC will not hesitate to ensure no broadcast company violates ethics of broadcasting in the country.
Polical Platform on Raypower, as earlier stated, is anchored by Mr Amaechi Anakwe with Mr Adebayo Bodunrin, Ms Uju Ejeye, Mr Sola Jaiyesimi and Mr Mustapha Mohammed.
