Hate speech: FG directs NBC to sanction erring stations

The Federal Government has directed the National Broadcasting
Commission to sanction any radio or television station that
broadcasts hate speech.

It said this was part of efforts aiming at stemming the growing
tide of hate speech in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
issued the directive in Abuja on Thursday at the 3rd Annual Lecture
Series of the NBC, which also coincides with the 25th anniversary
of the commission.

He, however, did not mention the kind of the sanction that the
commission would impose on the erring radio and television
stations.

He said, “As a matter of fact, the challenges facing the NBC
have never become more daunting, considering the increasing
propensity of some radio and television stations across the country
to turn over their platforms to the purveyors of hate speech.

“It is the responsibility of the NBC to put these broadcast
stations in check before they set the country on fire.

“As the NBC celebrates what is a milestone – a quarter of a
century – in its existence, I urge the Commission to redouble its
efforts in discharging its mandate.

“The NBC must ensure a strict adherence to the Broadcasting
Code, and errant stations must be sanctioned accordingly to serve
as a deterrent.

“The nation looks up to the NBC to restore sanity to the
broadcast industry. The Commission cannot afford to do any less at
this critical time. It cannot afford to fail the nation.”

Mohammed cited the alleged ignominious role played by a radio
station in fueling the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.

He said the crisis led to the loss of over 800,000 lives in 100
days and therefore charged the NBC not to allow the purveyors of
hate speech to lead Nigeria to the path of destruction.

The minister said, “If you tune into many radio stations, for
example, you will be shocked by the things being said, the careless
incitement to violence and the level of insensitivity to the
multi-religious, multi-ethnic nature of our country.

“Unfortunately, even some of the hosts of such radio programmes
do little or nothing to stop such incitements. Oftentimes, they are
willing collaborators of hate speech campaigners.

The Federal Government has directed the National Broadcasting
Commission to sanction any radio or television station that
broadcasts hate speech.

It said this was part of efforts aiming at stemming the growing
tide of hate speech in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
issued the directive in Abuja on Thursday at the 3rd Annual Lecture
Series of the NBC, which also coincides with the 25th anniversary
of the commission.

He, however, did not mention the kind of the sanction that the
commission would impose on the erring radio and television
stations.

He said, “As a matter of fact, the challenges facing the NBC
have never become more daunting, considering the increasing
propensity of some radio and television stations across the country
to turn over their platforms to the purveyors of hate speech.

“It is the responsibility of the NBC to put these broadcast
stations in check before they set the country on fire.

“As the NBC celebrates what is a milestone – a quarter of a
century – in its existence, I urge the Commission to redouble its
efforts in discharging its mandate.

“The NBC must ensure a strict adherence to the Broadcasting
Code, and errant stations must be sanctioned accordingly to serve
as a deterrent.

“The nation looks up to the NBC to restore sanity to the
broadcast industry. The Commission cannot afford to do any less at
this critical time. It cannot afford to fail the nation.”

Mohammed cited the alleged ignominious role played by a radio
station in fueling the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.

He said the crisis led to the loss of over 800,000 lives in 100
days and therefore charged the NBC not to allow the purveyors of
hate speech to lead Nigeria to the path of destruction.

The minister said, “If you tune into many radio stations, for
example, you will be shocked by the things being said, the careless
incitement to violence and the level of insensitivity to the
multi-religious, multi-ethnic nature of our country.

“Unfortunately, even some of the hosts of such radio programmes
do little or nothing to stop such incitements. Oftentimes, they are
willing collaborators of hate speech campaigners.