Should Big Brother Naija be banned?

Just as with many reality TV shows, Big Brother Naija has got a lot of Nigerians talking, but this time for the wrong reasons.

The free hugs, kisses, and rolling under bed sheets of the house mates has left a lot of Nigerians feeling like they are watching porn on live TV. and there have been  lots of gist about the ‘abomination’ constantly portrayed in the ‘porn-like’ TV show.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has confirmed that it has sent a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, demanding that he places a ban on popular reality TV show Big Brother Naija.

Infuriated by the airing of the 2019 edition of the 93-day reality TV show, MURIC in a press statement issued on Friday by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola,  labeled the reality show ‘immoral, dangerous and Bohemian’.

The group in the statement said; “We are being forcibly dragged to a world of nudity, shamelessness and open promiscuity. Inmates of BBNaija kiss, romance and engage in sex openly. BBNaija is Bohemian, anti-social, crude and immoral. It constitutes a potent danger to every home. BBNaija is Satanic. It is unacceptable.

“Where are our norms and values? Is it part of African culture to engage in sex in the open? Where are the authorities? Is the Ministry of Information and Culture sleeping? Is the National Orientation Agency on sabbatical? Who will protect our children from this despicable onslaught? Who did this to Nigeria?

“To cap the edifice, MURIC calls for immediate and total ban on this satanic television show. We charge the Ministry of Information and Culture to move swiftly against BB Naija before moral debauchery becomes Nigeria’s middle name. Nigerian youth must be protected from themselves and the time to do so is now. We invite the National Assembly to intervene immediately and we appeal to traditional rulers to add their voices to this campaign,” the statement added.

However, several Nigerian youths have been reacting on social media, with many claiming that the MURIC should focus on more important issues bothering the country, and that if anyone isn’t okay with the TV show, they should simply switch to another channel of their choice.

It isn’t surprising that many Nigerians are’t comfortable with the show, considering our cultural and religious values. But should the government ban the show?

Some have said since it isn’t free to air, calling for its ban is going overboard. Maybe the talk of a ban would have made more sense if the show airs on a ‘free to air’ Nigerian TV station.

Also, considering the accessibility of TV programmes on the internet, will a ban on the TV show really stop Nigerians from watching it? Hmm! I doubt it, but there is sure going to be a reduction in the number of people who watch the programme.

Even though its difficult, I think parents should do all they can to guide their children on what TV programmes they watch, and be open to discussing these supposedly taboo topics with their children, to avoid them travelling down the road of moral decadence.

Do you think the government should ban Big Brother Naija? Tell us what you think.