The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria has resolved to sanction all political advertisements that do not conform with it’s Advertising Code.
This according to the Regulatory Body , is part of efforts to check the use of abusive and derogatory language during the Ongoing Political campaigns
The Director General of the Regulatory Council, Olalekan Fadolapan disclosed this to Journalists at the 2022 NATIONAL ADVERTISING CONFERENCE in ABUJA.
It is the first ever edition of the National Advertising conference under the new Regulatory Regime of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria.
Gathered here are Captains on industry and practitioners in the Advertising industry, bringing to bear challenges affecting the sector as well as possibilities of resolving the pressing issues and charting a way forward for overall National Development.
Participants stressed the importance of scrutinizing all advertisements before going public especially at a time when the country is on the verge of conducting its General Elections in 2023 .
The Director General of the Regulatory Body says ARCON will not hesitate to wield the big stick on those who violates its Advert Code .
Participants in this conference hope all resolutions from the discussions held will be far reaching as they call on advertising agencies and media practitioners to uphold the standards and ethics of the profession to ensure democracy is sustained.
The issue of the content of Political adverts in Nigeria has become more and more prominent over the last few weeks with the Start of the campaigns leading to mudslinging by the various backers and supporters of candidates.
Some of the abusive words and outright lies in some of the adverts have in some cases led to the outbreak of violence leading to injuries and in some cases death even when the elections are still more than 60 days away.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has rules and regulations against hate speech, lies and inciting messages this has not deterred Political parties, Candidates and supporters from spreading false and often misleading information about their opponents.
