Federal Ministry of Women Affairs petitions NBC over misleading report by Arise TV
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has written to the National Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, demanding an immediate petition against Arive TV, one of Nigeria’s mainstream television channels.
The Ministry took a swipe at Arise TV over what it described as false and misleading statements against the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye.
The ministry faulted the content of the Arise TV morning show broadcast on Tuesday, December 19, in which it said the presenters alleged that the Minister is advocating for Nigerian women to be granted freedom from paying taxes to the Federal Government.
In the letter titled ‘Urgent Petition Against Arise Television Unethical Reporting’, the Ministry also said the TV station had misrepresented the minister in her statement, stressing that the claims are not only factually inaccurate, but also deeply damaging to the Minister’s reputation and integrity.
“While she emphasized the importance of integrating practical skills into the secondary school curriculum to enhance students’ post- school opportunities, Arise TV misinterpreted her stance by incorrectly suggesting she was advocating for child labour,” the letter reads in part.
According to the ministry, the claims are not only factually inaccurate, but also deeply damaging to the Minister’s reputation and integrity.
The Ministry further said, “Airing suh misleading information on a nationally televised program constitute a serious breach of journalistic ethics and the broadcasting code of conduct. By deliberately fabricating and disseminating false information, Arise TV has not only violated its mandate to provide accurate and objective news, but also ricked undermining public trust in both the media and the government. This has the potential for eroding public trust in democratic institutions and hindering constructive dialogue about important issues.”
“Therefore, we urge the National Broadcasting Commission to launch a thorough investigation into this matter, determine the source and nature of the doctored video, query Arise TV, impose appropriate sanctions if necessary, and ensure that corrective measures are implemented to prevent the recurrence of such unethical practices. Also, Arise TV should be requested to provide the video clip showing where the Minister stated that women are not to pay tax. The public relies on media organizations to provide accurate and unbiased information, and it is crucial that those who deviate from these standards are held accountable.
The public should be informed about the results of the investigation and the measures taken to address this egregious violation. We trust that the National Broadcasting Commission will conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into this matter to preserve the credibility of the media industry and uphold the public’s right to accurate and fair information.” The statement said.
