From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has charged stakeholders to adhere to regulatory standard on all advertisements, including political advertisement to avoid sanctions.
The Director General (DG) of ARCON, Mr Olalekan Fadilapo, gave the charge at a stakeholders meeting held on Tuesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State Capital.
The DG, who was represented by Director Northern Region of ARCON, Mr Ralph Anyacho, said all advertisement materials must be submitted to ARCON for pre-exposure vetting to ensure strict adherence to regulatory standard.
The DG explained that no advertisement material will be allowed to attack any religion, person, ethnic group, or organisation.
“Any advertisement that is not submitted to us for vetting before exposure will attract fine in line with the regulatory laws.
“The person that signed the advert and the media organisation that allowed the unapproved advertisement to be exposed will be sanctioned and fined.
“We can also seal the advert or the section of the organisation that expose the advertisement and also prosecute the parties involved in the violation,” the DG said.
Fadilapo said that the council have offices across the country to monitor issues of violation and enforce adherence to advertisement standard.
The DG said that the ARCON was not in any way against any political party or candidate, but was working to ensure adherence to standard and stability in the country.
He, therefore, urged politicians, as well as other stakeholders to ensure that advertisement materials are approved by the agency before exposing to the public through whatever medium.
In his remark, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State represented by Yakubu Lamai, lauded the council for the interactive forum to educate stakeholders on their activities.
Governor Sule therefore, urged ARCON to ensure that all political advertisements are devoid of falsehood, misinformation and fake news.
The Voice reports that the meeting featured paper presentations, as well as questions and answers session.
The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties, heads of media organisations in the state, security agencies, among others.
