This administration appears to be preoccupied with hate speech. Recently, Osinbajo said that “hate speech is a species of terrorism” and leaders will be doing a “grave disservice” to maintain silence about it. As if it had predicted the Vice President’s tough stance, the National Broadcasting Commission had already issued new rules on the 10th of August to Radio and Television Broadcasters in order to curb the rise of hate speech. They are as follows:
● Stations allowing callers to air “perceived hate speech” to be fined ₦500,000 per incident.
● Stations must pass calls through screeners before airing.
● Newspaper reviews limited to once daily.
● Limit of 5 call-in shows per day.
● Cost of calls to be borne by stations, not callers.
● Ban on discussion of ongoing court cases.
@andyroid explains how these rules hurt free speech- and communication businesses.
See below:
Let's look at the provisions of the new broadcast censorship rules one by one. We must resist this.
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
N50k fine for "perceived hate speech". Subjective language forces stations to err on side of caution. What will NBC PERCEIVE as hate speech? pic.twitter.com/mDrWNR5xGG
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
That 50k fine can basically be used as a weapon against any station that airs a political call the NBC & its masters don't like.
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
No more live calls. Calls go through screener. There will now be an absolute gatekeeper to stop specific opinions getting airtime. pic.twitter.com/yZ6neLki4l
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
This is one of the most sinister of the new rules because on its face it seems good for the public. Who doesn't wanna call station for free? pic.twitter.com/TuFxlL1cYo
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
But this toll free call rule is meant to force stations to choose between making a profit and hearing from you.
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
If a station has to pay for every call-in, it will naturally take fewer and shorter calls. Our voices will be silenced.
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
This is a preposterous rule I have seen coming for years. Courts & trials are public. Discussing them is our RIGHT. pic.twitter.com/eOX03S1Lfg
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
Media houses have a DUTY to report court proceedings to us. We have a RIGHT to debate the happenings in public.
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
This is a very devious and sinister rule, and I will use many tweets to dissect the reasons why. pic.twitter.com/oN8H8Ok5PF
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
Without newspaper reviews, his exposure to some news & DEBATE ABOUT THEM will drop sharply.
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
NBC is trying to destroy synergy between broadcast, talk, newspaper & social media that is making us all better informed & more engaged.
— Andy Obuoforibo (@andyRoidO) August 18, 2017
Reactions:
They rode on the back of the Freedom Of Information Act as opposition, now they are in power they are attacking it….. 1/2
— Khaleb Ogbonna (@beyondkhaleb) August 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/KhalebOgbonna/status/898506075414155264
they have rebranded it as hate speech, knowing fully well that it showcases their deceit.
— Khaleb Ogbonna (@beyondkhaleb) August 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/bbellgam/status/898498914676068352
God help us all.
