NBC goes tough on broadcast stations, reveals what it will do to any station which promotes hate speeches

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August 31, 2017 at 10:14PM
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Kess Ewubare

- NBC says it will guard against the infiltration of hate speeches in the broadcast industry

- The DG of the commission, Mr Is’haq Kawu, advocates for broadcast stations to be used to promote unity among Nigerians

- Kawu says the broadcast industry has witnessed tremendous growth in the last few years owing to the complete deregulation of the sector

Ahead of the forthcoming elections, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it will impose heavy sanctions on broadcast stations which promote hate speeches.

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The director general of the commission, Mr Is’haq Kawu, said this on Thursday, August 31, in Enugu at the inauguration of Family Love FM 99.9 at the European Quarters in Ngwo.

Kawu was represented at the event by a director in the commission, Mr Armstrong Idachaba, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

He said that the commission had taken note of hate speeches from some parts of the country, adding that it would guard against its infiltration in the broadcast industry.

“We are already seeing signs of hate speeches among Nigerians and would not tolerate it in the broadcast industry as we prepare for the 2019 elections.

“Our broadcast stations should rather be used to engender tolerance, mutual respect as well as promote unity among Nigerians,” he said.

Kawu said that the broadcast industry had witnessed tremendous growth in the last few years owing to the complete deregulation of the sector.

He said that there were about 800 radio stations in the country, adding that what was expected of them was healthy competition.

“We now have a very competitive private sector that is experiencing great growth.

“Competition in the sector now has multiplier effects in the country in terms of job creation and education.

“The competition among the various players in the industry must continue to be friendly, ‘’ Kawu said.

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Earlier in an address of welcome, the Group Managing Director of Multimesh Broadcasting Company Ltd., Mr Godfrey Ohuabunwa, said that company was conceived 32 years ago.

Ohuabunwa said that the station would usher in a new dimension to broadcasting in the South East Zone of Nigeria.

“Our passion for broadcasting has its roots on the need to affect the society that is virtually derailing from basic tenets of upright living and morality.

“This decay has affected our society much so that there seem not to be value for life, stewardship and right standing with God,” he said.

He said that programmes of the station were structured toward the improvement of family values and standards.

Ohuabunwa appealed to regulators in the industry to provide a level playing ground and opportunities for private sector participation in the industry.

He also appealed to relevant government agencies to review downwards customs duties and taxes payable on communication and broadcast equipment for greater results.

“One of the problems which has continued to bedevil this industry is the cost of operations and roll out,” he said

Meanwhile, Kevin Abonyi, Anambra state-based legal practitioner has described the issue of ''hate speech'' in Nigeria as an executive propaganda.

Abonyi said he did not encourage Nigerians to get involved in the hate speech even though it is not mentioned under terrorism act of 2011, Daily Sun reports.

NAIJ.com gathered that he made this known in relation to the recent purported move by the federal government to rearrest Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He said that the executive arm coined ''hate speech'' to suit the prevailing circumstances in Nigeria ''not that it expressly has a legal backing''.

In the video below Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the #Biafra50 said Nigerians are greater together than apart.

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NBC goes tough on broadcast stations, reveals what it will do to any station which promotes hate speeches
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