Series of Adverts exposed during Easter celebrations not vetted by ARCON – Dr. Fadolapo
Oru Leonard
Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, has said that series of advertisements exposed during the recent Easter celebration by advertisers, media owners (traditional and online} and advertising agencies.
Dr. Fadolapo said this in a statement berating Advertisers, Advertising Agencies and the Media who engaged in unethical and offensive messages during the last Easter period.
According to him; “The advertisements were not only provocative, insensitive, offensive, incendiary but were also not submitted nor vetted by the Advertising Standards Panel in accordance with the provisions of section 53(1) of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No.23 of 2022.
He further explained that a number of advertisements were observed during the Easter Celebration by the Council to be unpleasant, and demeaning to the Christian faith.
“The Council will take necessary actions to ensure that the rights, sensitivities and religious beliefs of any sect, or group of people are not ridiculed, disparaged, or exploited for commercial gains or otherwise” The DG said.
He advised Advertisers, advertisement agencies, and the media/media owners to desist from exposing any form of advertisement without obtaining the prior approval of the Standards Panel. Violators will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.
