FG won’t allow hate speech become free speech, says Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the
federal government will not allow hate speech become free
speech.

Mohammed was speaking on the plan of the government to regulate
social media.

On Tuesday, the minister said many Nigerians have asked the
government to sanitise the social media space.

Speaking at the annual lecture of FRCN in Abuja on Thursday, he
said only “anarchists and non-patriots” would worry about the move
by the government.

He said the government does not have the intention to gag the
media.

“Since announcing our plan to sanitize both the broadcast
industry and the social media, there have been varying reactions
from Nigerians. I must say this is welcome,” the minister said.

“It’s exactly what we want – national discourse on the
responsible use of the airwaves and the social media. But, for the
umpteenth time, I want to say that responsible and ethical
journalists, and indeed all patriots, have nothing to fear. Only
anarchists and non-patriots, the purveyors of fake news and hate
speech, need to worry.

“This administration has no intention to gag the media or stifle
free speech, but it also won’t sit by and allow hate speech to
become free speech.”

The minister said no government would allow hate speech and fake
news dominate its media space.

“So, while we welcome the support of most Nigerians who have
reached out to us on the need to clean up the air waves and the
social media, we also note the criticism of those who oppose our
efforts,” he said.

“Make no mistake, however, we are committed to ensuring a
responsible and ethical use of our air waves and the social
media.”