APCON set to clamp down on codes violators

To ensure that advertising codes are not violated, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), is set to clamp down on digital advertisers operating in Nigeria without licence.

Addressing the media recently, Registrar/Chief Executive, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, said, “it is illegal and criminal for anyone to practice advertising without being first registered by APCON.”

APCON boss reiterated that advertising is a distinguished profession like medicine, law, accounting, which is govern by APCON law as stated in sections 1 and 17 of the act.

Fadolapo stated, “APCON will clampdown on all individuals and organisation that engage in advertising without being first licensed by APCON.”

According to him, “The situation is so bad, sadly. We have had complaints and petitions from the general public to call online media platform owners to order because of some reprehensible advertisements such as, those promoting rituals, patronage of private parts enlargement, breast enlargement, love portions, money charms, concoctions to provide political powers, and other many unimaginable things not worthy of mentioned in the public media.”

The APCON chief executive has warned that ignorance from defaulters will not be entertained as the APCON Code has adequately provided a guide and basic standard, which, as a matter of necessity, all advertisements should embrace as minimum and acceptable level.

Fadolapo emphasised that APCON’s regulation of online advertisement extends to all advertisements broadcast, published, or expose on any of the digital platform “the Panel must vet and approve all advertisements before exposure and we advise all advertisers, agencies and media platforms to seek the Panel’s approval of any advertisement prior to exposure.”

According to him, “The Code demands that advertisement must be legal, decent, honest, truthful, respectful and mindful of Nigeria’s culture, constitutional tenets and relevant lawful enactments.”

Fadolapo also charged elective political office aspirants to ensure that their political advertisements are vetted and approved by the ASP before exposure on any medium, as it will diminish the repugnant influence of hate speech and unethical political communication in the country.