CNN has rejected political advertisement from Nigeria, famous for its lavish publicity in foreign media.
As the 2015 elections draw close, a lot of politicians have expressed shock that the American international cable station, one of Nigeria’s favorite ‘poblicity hotspots’ has repeatedly ‘bounced’ commercials with political undertones from Nigeria.
CNN adverts are among the most expensive in the world – and TheCable says they can cost anything from N5m for a 30-second spot during Prime Time – but then, it is common knowledge that Nigerian politicians rate prestige over economics.
A consultant to a presidential aspirant, speaking to TheCable said: “we approached CNN agents in Nigeria to place some adverts for our principal. We sent the creative to them as requested and they returned them, saying they do not run commercials that are intended to campaign for votes. “We could not believe it.”
However, an official of CNN said that it was a general rule not to accept certain advertisements and that there is no discrimination against Nigerian politics.
Ashley Hogan-Gancarz, the Accountant Manager of CNN International, informed THECABLE: “CNN International never accepted religious or political advertising. This is due to Ofcom regulations. If you want to promote investment opportunities, etc. that will be fine, but nothing to do with politics or the 2015 elections.”
Ofcom is the regulator of the broadcast industry in the UK, from where CNN International oversees its African operations.
Source: http://www.nigerianbulletin.com/threads/2015-cnn-rejects-political-advertisements-from-nigeria.99607/
