Premium News
LAWYER GIVES NBC 30-DAY ULTIMATUM TO BAN BBNAIJA OR FACE LEGAL ACTION
Maduabuchi Idam, a human rights lawyer, has demanded that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) either ban or impose strict regulations on Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), citing concerns over its “obscene, indecent, and profane content”.
In a letter recently shared on Facebook, Idam accused the show organisers of undermining public morality and questioned the NBC’s silence despite its history of censoring less explicit content in music videos.
The lawyer also expressed dismay over the show’s “unfiltered broadcast of explicit scenes,” which he argued are easily accessible to underage viewers despite its 18+ rating.
“Concerned about the brazen obscenity and profane contents showcased by the television program described as “Big Brother Naija” which is also freely broadcasted on the social media by the host company, I am constrained as a Nigerian citizen and a public interest lawyer to write this letter demanding the immediate ban or proper regulation of the program in order to have same consumed exclusively by the target audience,” the post reads.
“The program which is currently on the second week of its 10th edition, has been characterised with the brazen exhibition of real-time obscene and pornographic actions, thereby questioning the position of the NBC regarding its regulatory mandate to such television broadcasts.
“…Therefore, it becomes perplexing to find that the NBC has remained mute or unconcerned in the face of the program, Big Brother Naija, despite its obvious explicit content.”
Idam, while acknowledging the show’s adult rating, argued that its widespread accessibility, both on television and social media, makes it a danger to public decency.
The lawyer also urged the NBC to enforce stricter measures to ensure the show is “exclusively reserved for its target audience,” preventing accidental exposure to minors or unwilling viewers.
“I write, not as one who is unaware of the fact that the program is rated 18 (which presupposes that the content is offered only for adults), but as a Nigerian who genuinely shares the concern of several other Nigerians about the danger that such a program poses to public decency and morality,” he added.
“Therefore, I demand that the NBC should (if not totally ban) adequately restrict the program, to be exclusively reserved for its target audience such that underage children or uninterested members of the public would not accidentally come in contact with it either on television or social media.”
The lawyer issued a 30-day ultimatum to the NBC, demanding that the show be restricted to “highly regulated adult-only platforms” and that its explicit content be barred from social media promotion.
“I am also outraged that the program is not only aired on national TV, but its profane content is also often proudly shared on the verified social media handles of the host company, in total disregard to public morality and decency,” he wrote.
“The regulation of the “Big Brother Naija” program which neither offers educative, artistic, scientific nor literary value has become necessary, in order to preserve and salvage the wreckage of our dear society, which is already challenged by several vices such as insecurity amongst others; being the aftermath of the unregulated social activities as the “Big Brother Naija” programs whose negative effect on the moral sensibilities of the Nigerian public cannot be underestimated.
“The NBC is by this letter urged to within thirty (30) days, regulate the “Big Brother Naija” program by permitting it only to be aired on highly restricted channels, reversed for its target audience and also prohibiting the sharing or decimination of the explicit contents by the host company, on social media.
“Take notice that in the event of failure to comply with the demand herein, I shall be constrained to seek necessary redress in the Court of competent jurisdiction.”
Idam’s petition follows recent controversies surrounding the show, particularly after housemates Kayikunmi and Isabella shared a steamy moment during a live broadcast.
The BBNaija Season 10 kicked off on July 28 with a two-day opening ceremony.
This year’s winner will take home a staggering N150 million, the highest grand prize in the show’s history since its debut in 2006.
