Government’s NBC Reform on Hate Speech Stirs Reactions

National Broadcasting Commission commenced the implementation of the reforms approved by the President to strengthen the NBC’s regulatory role and make it more effective.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this in Lagos at a meeting with the Filmic Group, a platform for creative industry practitioners comprising movie producers, theatre directors and content producers, among others.

“I can confirm to you that the current NBC Management and Board have begun the actual implementation process. I am reliably informed by the Acting Director General of the NBC that in the next two weeks, there will be a stakeholder validation conference to endorse the new initiatives in the industry.”

” After which the necessary amendments to the broadcasting code on monopoly and anti-competition, unwholesome content on social media and other amendments will be published for the public and the industry,” he said.

Stakeholders hail government decisions

Although, all matters regarding this amended rules of conduct seemed apparently resolved, going by stake holders’ warm response to the minister’s speech.

In movie producer, Mahmoud Alli–Balogun’s remarks, he thanked the minister for the implementation of policies aimed at revolutionising the creative industry and unlocking its huge potentials for wealth creation and employment generation.

“Since deregulation of broadcasting in Nigeria, what we have today that we are sort of celebrating in advance following its complete passage is a landmark occurrence in the sense that since deregulation, we have had the short end of the stick,” he said.

Another member of the Filmic Group, Mr. Obi Asika, said with the unfolding of the new policies in the broadcasting industry, within the next couple of years, 50 new viable channels could be floated to provide entertainment and create more jobs, in view of the nation’s huge market and the commitment of the industry players.

However, while some industry watcher applauded the initiative, some expressed worries over government’s inability to define in exact term what constitutes hate speech in the country.

Hate speech has been defined as a statement intended to demean and brutalise another, or the use of cruel and derogatory language on the basis of real or alleged membership in a social group.

Critics raise concerns

A notable aspect of the amendment to the broadcasting code that has garnered critics views  is the unwholesome content on social media.

Tonnie Iredia, former DG of NTA stated while hate speech poses great danger,  the issue is in Nigeria there is the tendency for government to see hate speech as criticism, but it is not. He further asked how we are sure the current clamp down will not be on the opposition or dissenting opinions. People should not be afraid to speak and accept certain views.

He however urges government to be careful of how it deals with the issue of communication as a constitutional matter.

Iredia further mentioned that NBC, as the regulatory body has the right sole right to increase fines and not the minister of information. The information coming from the minister of information shows that government is doing day-to-day management of NBC.

Tony Momoh, stated that while freedom of expression was guaranteed in the constitution, the freedom of the press was not.

Also Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, chairman Centre of Excellence TV and Radio, Univerity of Lagos thinks increasing the fine from 500,000 to 5Million is ridiculous, saying “there are enough existing laws against defamation, hate speech, libel, and many more” He went further “to make NBC to try to padlock the air is not part of the spirit of democracy, this law should be left to the law of the land.”

Meanwhile, the NBC reforms implementation committee has submitted its report to the minister on November 19, 2019 with far reaching recommendations aimed at strengthening the regulatory role of the commission and unlocking the creative ability of Nigerians by abolishing monopoly and anti-competition in the broadcast industry.