‘Fight Hate Speech While Upholding Human Rights’ — Kadaria Ahmed Tackles FG On Twitter Ban

A journalist and managing director of Radio Now 95.3fm Lagos,
Kadaria Ahmed has called on the federal government to consult with
experts on how to eradicate hate speech in the media space without
violating fundamental human rights.

This was stated on Monday by the journalist while reacting to
the directive of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on the
use of Twitter by broadcast media.

Recall that the federal government announced the suspension of
Twitter in Nigeria on Friday.

The suspension came after a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari
was taken down by the social media platform.

In a statement issued by the commission, Armstrong Idachaba, NBC
acting director-general, directed all broadcasting stations in
Nigeria to suspend the patronage of Twitter, uninstall the
application, and desist from using Twitter as a source of
information gathering.

Reacting in a statement, Ahmed said the directive “amounts to an
attack on the media and freedom of speech both of which are
guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria”.

“Section 39(1) guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental
right. Section 22 of Nigeria’s constitution guarantees press
freedom by stating that the press, radio, television, and other
agencies of the mass media shall at all time be free to uphold the
fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the
responsibility and accountability of the government to the people,”
she said.

“Radio Now will, under duress, comply with the directive of the
commission while consulting with our lawyers on the legality of
this directive. The advice we receive will determine our next
steps.

“Radio Now is not convinced a ban on Twitter, and a directive by
NBC, barring broadcasting stations from using the platform, is the
right way,” she added.

“We urge the government to go back and engage with experts, many
of whom abound in the country, on how to fight hate speech,
misinformation and disinformation while respecting and upholding
rights that are fundamental in a democracy.”

A journalist and managing director of Radio Now 95.3fm Lagos,
Kadaria Ahmed has called on the federal government to consult with
experts on how to eradicate hate speech in the media space without
violating fundamental human rights.

This was stated on Monday by the journalist while reacting to
the directive of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on the
use of Twitter by broadcast media.

Recall that the federal government announced the suspension of
Twitter in Nigeria on Friday.

The suspension came after a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari
was taken down by the social media platform.

In a statement issued by the commission, Armstrong Idachaba, NBC
acting director-general, directed all broadcasting stations in
Nigeria to suspend the patronage of Twitter, uninstall the
application, and desist from using Twitter as a source of
information gathering.

Reacting in a statement, Ahmed said the directive “amounts to an
attack on the media and freedom of speech both of which are
guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria”.

“Section 39(1) guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental
right. Section 22 of Nigeria’s constitution guarantees press
freedom by stating that the press, radio, television, and other
agencies of the mass media shall at all time be free to uphold the
fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the
responsibility and accountability of the government to the people,”
she said.

“Radio Now will, under duress, comply with the directive of the
commission while consulting with our lawyers on the legality of
this directive. The advice we receive will determine our next
steps.

“Radio Now is not convinced a ban on Twitter, and a directive by
NBC, barring broadcasting stations from using the platform, is the
right way,” she added.

“We urge the government to go back and engage with experts, many
of whom abound in the country, on how to fight hate speech,
misinformation and disinformation while respecting and upholding
rights that are fundamental in a democracy.”