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Buhari approves N5m as penalty for Hate Speech in new broadcasting code
BY NICHOLAS ABE
The Federal Government of Nigeria using the Nigerian Broadcasting Code just published by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has raised the penalty for ‘Hate Speech’ from N500,000 to N5 million.
Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while unveiling the amended sixth edition of the code in Lagos, today, Tuesday August 4, said the 1,000 percent increase in penalty has the blessing and approval of the nation’s president, Muhammadu Buhari.
The sixth edition of the broadcast code had earlier been launched in Kano in July 2019 after wide stakeholder meetings and discussions on virtually all the provisions of the 5th edition, according to the minister.
“The amendments were necessitated by a Presidential directive, in the wake of the 2019 general elections, for an inquiry into the regulatory role of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as well as the conduct of the various broadcast stations before, during and after the elections.
“Following the inquiry, Mr. President approved many recommendations that will reposition the NBC to perform its regulatory role better. Key among the recommendations is the need to amend the provisions in the Code and Act.
“The amendments are mostly in the areas of political broadcasting, local content, coverage of emergencies, advertising and anti-competitive behaviour,” Mohammed explained.
Giving insight into the amended code, the minister said the provisions dealing with exclusivity and monopoly “will boost local content and local industry due to laws prohibiting exclusive use of rights by broadcasters who intend to create monopolies and hold the entire market to themselves.”
The provisions also include that prohibiting backlog of advertising debts owed to broadcast stations by clients; the law on registration of Web Broadcasting that will grant the country the opportunity to regulate negative foreign broadcasts that can be injurious to the country; the provisions on responsibility of broadcast stations to devote airtime to national emergencies such as the COVID-19 and of course, “the provision raising the fine for hate speech from 500,000 Naira to 5 (five) million Naira.”
READ: Okoroji calls for revisit to amended broadcasting code
Alhaji Mohammed justified the amendments with section 2h of the NBC Act, which he said specifically empowered the commission to establish and disseminate a National Broadcasting Code and set standards with regard to the content and quality of materials for broadcast.
“From the above, it is clear that it is a regulatory function to establish the Code. It is democratic when the regulator engages stakeholders to get their views.
“This could be done in several ways, including questionnaire, conferences, face-to-face discussions and focused group discussions.
“Once the regulator has factored all the views, he takes a decision to codify provisions that best address the needs of the country. This is what @nbcgovng has done in this case.
“What I have observed in the reactions to the last amendment are interests who believe that their singular business interest is superior to the national interest. Therefore, they have resorted to all kinds of blackmail, using hack writers,” Mohammed, obviously fazed at criticisms by some stakeholders, explained.
Further entrenching in his position, the minister added: “Ladies and gentlemen, we remain unperturbed, because we are acting in the national interest.
“The Broadcasting Code is not a static document. As we often say, broadcasting is dynamic. Therefore, even the 6th Edition of the Code shall be reviewed at the appropriate time. But as it currently stands, the 6th edition and the amendments, which we are unveiling today, remain the regulations for broadcasting in Nigeria.
“Our intention remains the good of the country. We need to catalyze the growth of the local industry. We need to create jobs for our teeming creative youths.
“The opportunities must be created and we believe that effective regulatory interventions are a sure way of attaining this. That’s why we will not waver.
“For those who still have misgivings about the amendment to the 6th Edition of the Code, we expect you to meet with the regulator and present your views. As I said, there are opportunities for constant review of the Code, but please note that this latest amendment is signed, sealed and delivered, and we are committed to making it work for the good of the country.”