Fayose
In obvious reaction to the “death wish” advert placed by the governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose in some national dailies, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON on Wednesday in Lagos re-echoed its earlier demand to preview all election campaign advertisements for approval before they are aired or published.
The APCON position was made known by its Registrar, Alhaji Garba Kankarofi, in a statement.
Kankarofi called on all mass media owners and managers to comply with the directive so as to stop unnecessary campaign adverts.
“Like every other form of advertisement,political advertisements are required to be submitted for pre-exposure approval by the Advertising Standards Panel.
“What we see today is a clear manifestation of mindless abuse of freedom of speech and flagrant breach of these regulations, which, if unchecked, is capable of plunging our country into an orgy of violence and anarchy,” the statement reads.
According to APCON, the directive becomes imperative because of recent advertisements in some national newspapers which had generated controversies.
The APCON boss expressed disappointment with the report , saying it “undermined social harmony and well-being’’ for their own interest.
Giving guidelines for political adverts,Kankarofi said, henceforth, political advertisements must observe all rules and regulations on design and publication/ broadcast of political advertisements, avoid the use of foul or abusive language as well as false, distorted or unsubstantiated claims or misrepresentations of facts.
He said such advertisements should also avoid the exploitation of ethnic or incite ethnic, religious or other sectional interests.
Speaking further, the statement said all political adverts must clearly indicate the identity of the sponsor of the advertisement” as anonymous or unidentifiable advertisers were not allowed to place advertisements in the media, warning that the peace and stability of Nigeria must not be undermined by any personal political interest or the business interest of media owners and managers.
Comments