ARCON officially unveils new law
By Oghale Mafuru
Coming on the heels of the recent signing of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, the apex advertising regulatory body has officially unveiled the new law as part of its statutory mandate to regulate the advertising industry in the country.
The Director General of the regulatory body, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo while highlighting some aspects of the law at a media briefing in Lagos, stated that the agency has been duly empowered by the law to regulate advertising, advertisement and marketing communications in the country, as well as carry out appropriate sanctions against defaulters.
In his word: “Notwithstanding the provisions in any Act, ARCON has exclusive power to determine, pronounce upon, administer, monitor and enforce compliance by persons and organisations on matters relating to advertisements, advertising, and marketing communications in Nigeria whether of a general or specific nature.”
The new law also recognises the establishment of a Governing Council which is saddled with the responsibility to formulate and implement regulations and guidelines on advertisement, advertising and marketing communication, and control creative ratings, industry terms of engagements, credit policy and disengagement protocols.
“The Council shall have the powers to monitor and enforce sanctions on any person or organisation that sponsors, exposes or causes to be exposed in Nigeria any advertising, Advertisement and Marketing Communications materials without the prior approval of the advertising Panel.
“Upon violation of any provision of this Act, the Council is mandated to seal advertising department, marketing department or commercial departments of organisations and agencies upon obtaining a court order.”
The apex advertising regulatory body also announced that the provision of the law which allow the establishment of the Advertising Offences Tribunal which shall adjudicate over offences created under the Act, Code of Advertising Practice, Standard of Practice, Proclamation and other relevant enactment made under the Act.
Other statutory committees and bodies recognized by the law include the Advertising Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, The Advertising Practice Investigative Panel, Advertising Arbitration Panel, Advertising Standards Panel, and the Advertising Offences Tribunal.
The Director General reiterated that the law does not seek to strangulate the advertising industry but to ensure strict adherence to ethical standards that will stimulate economic growth for the industry and the country at large.
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