CNN rejects political advertisements from Nigeria

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam with agency report

As the 2015 elections draw close, a lot of politicians have expressed shock that the American international cable station, one of Nigeria’s favorite ‘publicity hotspots’ has repeatedly ‘bounced’ commercials with political undertones from Nigeria.

The story, which has been trending on the social media yesterday, has it that CNN adverts are among the most expensive in the world – and according to the on-line portal, The Cable, 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 The Cable, 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”, a consultant to the presidential aspirant told The Cable.

Another, who is working for a state governor seeking re-election, said he had a similar experience.

But an official of the CNN told The Cable that it was a general rule not to accept certain advertisements and that there was no discrimination against any Nigerian politicians.

The Accounts manager of CNN International, Mr. Ashely Hogan-Gancarz, informed The Cable that, “CNN International never accepted political or religious advertising. This is due to Ofcom regulations.

“If you want to promote investment opportunities, etc., that would be fine, but nothing to do with politics or the 2015 election”.

Ofcom is the regulator of the broadcast industry in the United Kingdom, from where CNN International oversees its African operations.

CNN’s rejection of 2015-related adverts is expected to benefit local media in Nigeria, as part of the advertising budget is now expected to be spent locally.