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Tag: Hate speeches

  • NBC berates APC, PDP for using hate speeches during campaigns

    THE Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has come hard on the country’s two major political parties for breaching broadcasting rules on election.

    NBC Director-General Modibbo Kawu accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of spreading hate speeches and using abusive languages during their political rallies and campaigns.

    Kawu equally urged the stations to abide by the code guiding political broadcasting.

    He warned that NBC would not hesitate to shutdown national television stations that breach its codes.

    Section 525 of the code states that “political broadcast shall be in decent languages”. Also, Section 533 states that “a live coverage shall be truthful, decent, fair and balanced”.

    The NBC boss, who briefed reporters on the 2019 general elections and update on the digital switchover, said the commission had monitored the rallies aired by some television stations and found the comments made by some officials of the two parties of capable of causing crisis.

    He said the commission has noticed some infraction on its codes during campaigns of the two major political parties as aired live on some major channels.

    Kawu said: “With the commencement of electioneering campaigns for the 2019 general elections on November 18 based on INEC’s guidelines, the national stations have become agog with sponsored rallies by political parties, particularly the two main political parties – the PDP and the APC. We have observed again, through monitoring of the stations that politicians have refused to learn from the mistakes of the past, despite efforts by the commission to sensitise and remind them of their responsibilities.

    “We monitor live rallies and campaigns of the parties and in recent times, live political rallies of the two parties have been laced with indecent and abusive languages, name calling, allegations and use of hate speech.”

    He cited instances of the chairmen of the two political parties engaging in hate speech, abusive language and name calling.

    “The expressions and languages from the excerpt captured can be seen to be abusive and not decent for broadcast, contrary to certain sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Codes – 525, 533. Section 525 says ‘political broadcast shall be in decent languages and 533 says ‘a live coverage shall be truthful, decent, fair and balanced’.

    “We are not getting that and we told our licensees that it is very good to make a lot of money during this period but you will be liable if you allow your medium to be used to broadcast material that is contrary to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    “Based on the foregoing, the four major channels that have been broadcasting were culpable and contravening the provisions of the code on political broadcasting in line with the provisions of Section 524 of the code,” he added.

  • Buhari cautions against hate speeches

    •Book on Bénin Monarchy sold for N10m a copy

    President Muhammadu Buharihas called on traditional rulers to sensitise the people on the need to eschew violence and hate speeches, preach the message of peace and harmony, development, elimination of the use of drugs and substances, security and economic prosperity.

    He made the call at the book launch in Benin City on, “The Benin Monarchy: An Anthology of Bénin History,”which sold yesterday for N10m a copy for its limited edition copy.

    The book project coordinator, Chief OseniElamah, said only 50 copies of the limited edition copy of the book was printed.

    Chief Elamah, who spoke at the launch of the book and the second year anniversary of reign of the Bénin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, said the VIP edition of the book cost between N500,000 and N1m.

    Elamah explained that other categories of the book, such as the library and student edition, would soon be out.

    Speaking at the launch, Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, described Benin Kingdom as a role model for other ethnic kingdoms and societies to follow.

    He assured that his administration would continue to encourage and ensure that our traditional institution continues to evolve with time while preserving the rich cultural heritage.

    His words, “Traditional rulers must continue to build bridges as is being exemplified today by the very good and outstanding relationship that exists between the Sultanate and the Kingdom of the Benin people.

    “They should continue to build bridges of love and mutual respect across the country; they must continue to stay abreast of changes in a digital world while jealously guiding and protecting the core social values, customs and traditions that distinguish our respective people.

    “We must also ask our citizens to resist money politics that can lead to under development in the long run. This administration will continue to deliver on our change mantra to provide security, fight corruption and improve the economy for the betterment of all Nigerians.

    “You as traditional rulers have herculean task to continue to instill an enduring part of our heritage as custodians of culture and tradition expectedly, our traditional rulers are closely linked with the grassroots and so understand the problems of our people more intimately. In our search for peace, orderliness and stability in our society, the traditional institutions must remain a veritable instrument in this regards”, the President said.

    Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’adAbubakar, said traditional rulers must continue to work hard to strengthen relationships across the country.

    The Sultan noted that traditional rulers need the support of the government to sensitise the people and cater for their welfare.

    His words, “We must preserve our history, we must tell the world that our history is not for others to tell us what our history. It is important we make history compulsory in schools because we must know who we are, where we came from and where we are going next.”

    National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, disclosed that he emerged National Chairman of the ruling APC after the Oba of Bénin prayed for him.

    Oshiomhole urged the Bénin Monarch to continue to be the bridge builder as he had shown that every Oba can act and consolidate on the huge tradition inherited from the forefathers.

    Chairman of the occasion and former Nigeria Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon, noted that the story of Africa has always been told by others from their perspectives and for their own purposes.

    Dr. Gowon stated that much of the continent’s narrative has been a distorted picture.

    “I consider the book an aesthetic masterpiece and a treasure trove of unequalled insight into the history of the great Benin Kingdom. It is not just a piece of intellectual exertion worthy of high commendation, it presents to the rest of us a palpable challenge: a challenge to look back at the richness of our heritage and engender therefrom, a process of regeneration of those values and ideals that can only trigger the birth of new, progressive, people-centred, excellence-driven communities, nations, a new Africa!”, he said.

    Oba Ewuare II said he has used economic and diplomatic method as well as art and culture to empower the people.

    He commended the hard work of members of Board and contributors to the book, describing the book as “a great tribute to a great culture and a great people”.

     

  • Curbing hate speeches on social media

    It is on record that social media are rife with hate speeches. Today, one of the growing trends on social media all over the world is the dissemination of hate speech. In Nigeria today, despite the benefits that came with social media on one hand, on the other hand, it is also promoting disunity, igniting crises and triggering hatred among members of the society. This phenomenon has become a cankerworm that is refusing to go, thereby creating pathways for insult on those in power or minority groups.

    Countering hate speech begins by a realisation that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, the emergence of social media has created multiple platforms for the production, packaging and dissemination of hate speech. Today, instead of social media to be callous concerning their role as peacemakers, it is rather promoting disunity, igniting crises and triggering hatred among members of the society.

    The advent of social media has amplified citizen journalism; everyone has become a reporter. The emerging trend of the new media has broadened the battlefield in combating the hate speech saga. The new media has established an ideal platform to adapt and spread hate speech and foul language speedily because of its decentralised, anonymous and interactive structure. The prevalence of hate speech and fake news is accelerating on social media and fringing on political and national issues as well as social interaction. The amount of hate speech and vulgar language especially on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, among other online platform is becoming worrisome.

    With the creation of social media today, the essence of journalism is arrested. This is because apart from undermining the ethics of journalism profession, hate speech is contributing in expanding disaffection among tribes, political class, and religion or even among friends in the society. The Nigerian public is inundated with negative media usage such as character assassination and negative political campaigns at the expense of dissemination of issues that help them make informed choices. The picture of harmonious interaction has been shattered as a result of steady escalation of hate speech.

    As a matter of urgency, awareness and proper sensitisation must be raised on the political, social and cultural rights of individuals and groups, including freedom of speech, as well as social implication that come with freedom of speech. This will go a long way in averting the escalation of hate speech in the society in particular and Nigeria at large. Social media users must inculcate the habit of creating and promoting peaceful societies on one hand, and media organisations must stop abusive editorial comments that denigrate individuals or groups on account of disability, race, ethnicity, tribe, gender or belief on the other hand.

    Hate speech is becoming a thorn in everyone’s flesh. All hands must be on deck to stop the social media from supercharging hate speech. A stitch in time saves nine.

     

    • By Aondover Eric Msughter,

    Department of Mass Communication

    Bayero University, Kano

     

  • 2019: NBC warns broadcasting stations over political campaigns, hate speeches

    2019: NBC warns broadcasting stations over political campaigns, hate speeches

    THE Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) yesterday read the out riot act to broadcast stations on political campaigns and hate speeches.

    Its Director General, Mallam Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, said liable stations will soon face the law.

    He noted that it was wrong and against the ethics of the profession to broadcast campaign messages or programmes when the lid was yet to be lifted.

    Kawu, who spoke while  briefing reporters on the update of Digital Switch Over (DSO), said the NBC will soon begin to phase out Analogue Switch Off (ASO) in Plateau State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), by the end of the First Quarter of 2018.

    The NBC boss warned that media stations must do everything professional to promote the country’s democracy.

    Kawu said: “Permit me my dear colleagues, to also take your time to remind our broadcasters that as we approach the electioneering period, stations must do everything professional to promote democracy. Broadcasters are reminded that they have a duty to respect all extant laws related to the reportage and coverage of the electoral process. Don’t broadcast campaigns when the period for commencement of campaigns have not commenced.”

    On inciting messages, the NBC boss warned against deliberate airing of contents, which are capable of inciting the people against each other.

    “We are disturbed by the pattern of insensitive and inflammatory broadcasts emanating from some broadcast stations, especially in their coverage of national crises, like the herdsmen/farmer crises.

    “We have observed that some stations deliberately and repeatedly air very inciting contents long after the events break. We have warned stations that they must follow the tenets of the Broadcasting Code.

    “Having warned broadcasters, we shall follow up with appropriate sanctions should any station continue to violate the Broadcasting Code.”

    Already, he said the commission is planning a national conference on “politics and hate speech, during which we hope to present the study we commissioned on hate speech”.

    Kawu also revealed that the commission has submitted a long list of new radio and television stations to President Muhammad’s Buhari for presidential assent.

    “The President has always been encouraging the NBC to open up accesses for Nigerians to be able to register newer radio and television stations, because of his belief that they help to deepen democratic discourse and also help to create new jobs through the broadcasting value chain,” he said.

    NBC, he added, has informed the pay DTT operators, GOTV and NTA/STAR TIMES to begin discussions with the two signal distributors – ITS and Pinnacle Communications.

    “This is because, in line with the Government White Paper on the Transition from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting, after June 2019, these pay DTT operators would no longer be licensed to operate as both content providers and signal distributors,” he explained.

    On DSO, Kawu said by the end of the third quarter of 2018, 12 states would have been hooked up to the digital viewing.

    He noted that so far, the digital switch over has been launched in three states, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The commission, he said, is “committed to roll out in many more states this year” with Enugu and Osun on the line to join the list of states in couple of weeks.

    He said: “We have already scheduled Monday,  February 12, 2018 for the switch on for Enugu state. Similarly February 23rd has been affirmed for the switch on in Osun State.”

    The full roll out, he said, is subject to achieving about 95 per cent coverage.

  • 2019: NBC warns against broadcasting campaigns, hate speeches

    2019: NBC warns against broadcasting campaigns, hate speeches

    The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Thursday read out riot act to broadcast stations in the country.

    Broadcast political campaigns and hate speeches and face the full weight of the law, the Director General of the Commission, Mallam Ishaq Modibbo Kawu said.

    He noted that it is wrong and also against the ethics of the profession to broadcast campaign messages or programmes when the lid was yet to be lifted.

    Kawu who spoke while briefing Journalists on the update of Digital Switch Over (DSO) in the country also revealed that NBC is going to begin a phased Analogue Switch Off (ASO), in Plateau state and the FCT, by the end of the First Quarter of 2018.

    The NBC boss warned that media stations must do everything professional to promote democracy in the country.

    He said, “Permit me my dear colleagues, to also take your time to remind our broadcasters, that as we approach the electioneering period, stations must do everything professional to promote democracy. Broadcasters are reminded that they have a duty to respect all extant laws related to the reportage and coverage of the electoral process. Don’t broadcast campaigns when the period for commencement of campaigns have not commenced.”

    On inciting messages, the NBC boss also warned against deliberate airing of inciting contents, which are capable of inciting the people against each other.

    “We are disturbed by the pattern of insensitive and inflammatory broadcasts emanating from some broadcast stations, especially in their coverage of national crises, like the Herdsmen/Farmer crises.

    Just Thursday, we released the sanctions profile for Nigerian broadcast stations for the 4th quarter of 2017. Many stations have been fined for hateful and inciting broadcast. (The list is already on our website). It is important to remind our presenters and so-called On-Air-Personalities (OAPs), that they must be professionally detached from the stories and reports of crises phenomena. They are to offer platforms for Nigerians to present all the sides to issues in the news, not become the subjects of these stories, as they are wont to doing on many programs. This is especially true of political programs on broadcast stations.

    “We have observed that some stations deliberately and repeatedly air very inciting contents long after the events break. We have warned stations that they must follow the tenets of the Broadcasting Code. Having warned broadcasters, we shall follow up with appropriate sanctions should any station continue to violate the Broadcasting Code,” he warned.

    Already, he said the commission is planning a national conference on “politics and hate speech, during which we hope to present the study we commissioned on Hate Speech”.

    Kawu also revealed that the commission has submitted a long list of new radio and television stations to President Muhammad’s Buhari, for presidential assent.

    “ The President has always been encouraging the NBC to open up accesses for Nigerians to be able to register newer radio and television stations, because of his belief that they help to deepen democratic discourse, while also helping to create new jobs through the broadcasting value chain” he said.

    NBC, he also said has informed the pay DTT operators, GOTV and NTA/STAR TIMES, to begin discussions with the two signal distributors, ITS and Pinnacle Communications.

    “This is because, in line with the Government White Paper on the Transition from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting, after June 2019, these pay DTT operators would no longer be licensed to operate as both content providers and signal distributors,” he explained.

    On DSO, Kawu said that by the end of the third quarter of 2018, 12 states would have been hooked up to the digital viewing.

    He noted that so far the digital switch over has been launched in three states, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The commission, he said is “committed to roll out in many more states this year” with Enugu, and Osun on the line to join the list of states in couple of weeks.

    He said, “We have already scheduled Monday the 12th of February 2018 for the switch on for Enugu state. Similarly February 23rd has been affirmed for the switch on in Osun state.”

    NBC boss also revealed that “our second national signal distributor, Pinnacle Communications Limited, have moved to site in Delta state, and are also packed up for work in Gombe state.”

    He further added, “We have also scheduled to switch on six more states, one each from the six geo-political regions, during this year, 2018. We envisage that by the end of the third quarter of 2018, we would have switched on in 12 states around Nigeria. We are steadily implementing this new digital broadcasting process.”

    “Similarly, we are going to also begin a phased Analogue Switch Off (ASO), in Plateau state and the FCT, by the end of the First Quarter of 2018. And as part of acceleration of the work, we have commenced the digital mapping of Nigeria. It is a process that would help to give clarity to the entire DSO process.”

    The full roll out, he however said was subject to achieving about 95 per cent coverage.

    On the challenge of funds, Kawu agreed that it would be proper to seek funds from other sources outside the budget, if the country must actualize its dream of digital switchover.

    He noted that the commission is open to the idea of leasing frequencies that are idle to raise fund. This idea he said would be laid before the government.

    He stressed that the fund utilized so far for the digital switchover was from the N3.4billion proceeds from one of the frequency lease.

  • Presidency laments hate speeches by some media houses

    Presidency laments hate speeches by some media houses

    The Presidency on Friday expressed worries over what it termed hate speeches by some media houses.

    Briefing State House correspondents on Friday, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, specifically mentioned the front page report and a column in The Sun newspapers.

    He said: “I am here this afternoon to address you on some pressing issues concerning our noble profession and to appeal that members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm should show more decorum and professionalism in the reportage of security and humanitarian situation in the country.

    “The growing lack of respect for journalism ethics and press laws in the Nigerian media, especially regarding the clashes in Benue State is very unfortunate.

    “The frequent expressions of hate speech published by newspapers, in news stories and especially in columns is indeed a source of concern to all.

    “We want to state emphatically that a segment of the Nigerian media is sinking deeper and deeper into the mesh of hate speech in spite of repeated appeals by recognised and reputable media bodies, the Government and concerned Nigerians.

    “Unfortunately, self-regulation which is the norm in civilized societies has taken flight from many of our newsrooms.

    “For instance, a recent column published in a national newspaper (The Sun newspaper), said ”President Muhammadu Buhari was the first to endorse the Benue massacre on New Year Day. The same columnist described the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, as ”a dyed-in-the-wool Fulani irredentist who places trade over and above human life”.

    “The diatribe went further to invite citizens of the country to arm themselves and fight each other. In addition, one of the newspaper’s Saturday headlines proclaimed: ‘Expect More Blood in Benue…’

    “Apart from the basic tone of respect expected from an individual who is supposedly intelligent and educated enough to know better since they have been granted space to write in a national newspaper, there is the risk of inciting the public to actions that will have gory consequences for the entire nation for generations to come.

    “Those beating the gongs of war and fanning the embers of discord must remember what prevailed in Rwanda before the genocide of the early 90s, during which hundreds of thousands of lives were lost as a result of consistent hate speech spewing from that country’s media.

    “We must learn to express our grievances and criticisms without resorting to gutter language or to name calling, and the press has a responsibility to maintain that even if it means calling their columnists to order.

    “President Buhari, by the Constitution, has the primary duty of protecting life and property and that is what he has been doing in Benue and across the country”.

  • Presidency laments hate speeches by media houses

    Presidency laments hate speeches by media houses

    The Presidency on Friday expressed worries over what it termed hate speeches by some media houses.

    Briefing State House correspondents on Friday, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, specifically mentioned the front page report and a column in a National Newspaper.

    He said “I am here this afternoon to address you on some pressing issues concerning our noble profession and to appeal that members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm should show more decorum and professionalism in the reportage of security and humanitarian situation in the country.

    “The growing lack of respect for journalism ethics and press laws in the Nigerian media, especially regarding the clashes in Benue State is very unfortunate.

    “The frequent expressions of hate speech published by newspapers, in news stories and especially in columns is indeed a source of concern to all.

    “We want to state emphatically that a segment of the Nigerian media is sinking deeper and deeper into the mesh of hate speech in spite of repeated appeals by recognised and reputable media bodies, the Government and concerned Nigerians.

    “Unfortunately, self-regulation which is the norm in civilized societies has taken flight from many of our newsrooms.

    “For instance, a recent column published in a national newspaper, said ‘‘President Muhammadu Buhari was the first to endorse the Benue massacre’’ on New Year Day. The same columnist described the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali as ‘‘a dyed-in-the-wool Fulani irredentist who places trade over and above human life’’.

    “The diatribe went further to invite citizens of the country to arm themselves and fight each other. In addition, one of the newspaper’s Saturday headlines proclaimed: ‘Expect More Blood in Benue…’

    “Apart from the basic tone of respect expected from an individual who is supposedly intelligent and educated enough to know better since they have been granted space to write in a national newspaper, there is the risk of inciting the public to actions that will have gory consequences for the entire nation for generations to come.

    “Those beating the gongs of war and fanning the embers of discord must remember what prevailed in Rwanda before the genocide of the early 90s, during which hundreds of thousands of lives were lost as a result of consistent hate speech spewing from that country’s media.

    “We must learn to express our grievances and criticisms without resorting to gutter language or to name calling, and the press has a responsibility to maintain that even if it means calling their columnists to order.

    “President Buhari, by the Constitution, has the primary duty of protecting life and property and that is what he has been doing in Benue and across the country.

    “Calling him a murderer is not only grossly disrespectful but unfair, especially when the President has written a letter to the Senate detailing his efforts to quell the crisis in Benue State, including dispatching the Minister of Interior and the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations for an on the spot assessment of the situation in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident; and receiving a direct briefing from the IG the following day.” he said

  • Hate speeches promote disunity, says Lalong

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has urged Nigerians help sustain Nigeria’s unity by avoiding hate speeches.

    He expressed displeasure with what he called negative and retrogressive statements capable of destabilising the country.

    According to him, citizens must rise against hate speech and divisive utterances in the national discourse.

    He called on Nigerians to sustain the country’s unity and promote the ideals of oneness as envisioned by the founding fathers.

    Lalong stated this in his message on Nigeria’s 57th Independence anniversary.

    The governor noted that the country has scaled so many hurdles and survived many challenges in its 57 years of existence through the bond of brotherhood.

    He prayed for sustainable peace and security in the country.

    Lalong, meanwhile, has urged the Acting Chief Judge of Plateau State, Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak, to help rid the judiciary of corruption.

    The governor, who spoke while swearing Dakwak in Jos, urged him to comply urgently with the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s directive on creation of special courts for corruption cases.

    He said: “I have no doubt in my mind that the rich resumé of Justice Dakwak, given his wealth of experience in legal practice and the delivery of justice garnered in his over 30 years on the Bench, will be brought to bear in the administration of Justice in the State.

    “At this crucial time of our nation’s fight against corruption and all forms of maladministration and misappropriation of our commonwealth and corporate patrimony, all eyes are on you to do the needful as you join hands with all stakeholders in the judiciary and justice delivery system in our nation to sanitize our nation.

    “The judiciary has been under public scrutiny, this is so because it represents the hope of the groaning masses for a redeemable future for posterity. A clean judiciary is the altar for the sanitisation of our country.

    “Punishment for crime, remedy for injuries and the enthronement of respect for the rule of law, are sure panaceas to the reign of impunity, abuse of public trust and anarchy that are fast eating up sanity in our public space.”

    Lalong also urged the Bar to support justice sector reforms.

    “Where reforms in laws, practice direction and rules of court are complied with to improve the administration of Justice, the nation will be the better for it.

    “I am sure my Lord the Acting Chief Judge will desire out of conviction and compulsion of duty, to join the league of anti-corruption campaigners in our Nation. This will be done as you work hard to give the State a first in implementing the charge of my Lord the Chief Justice of the Federation.

    “On our part as a government, we will continue to do our best to provide the necessary support and statutory requirement of office, to enable the Judiciary to function effectively.

    “While doing this, we will ensure that the independence of the judiciary remains sacrosanct, so that we validate the fact that our democracy is founded on the tenets of the rule of law and clear separation of powers, with each arm of government being a critical part of the whole.

    “You have a duty to help ‘kill corruption or else corruption will kill Nigeria’ like President Muhammadu Buhari will always say. You must begin from the judiciary and then proceed to deal with the Public.

    “You have the capacity to do this. You, therefore, only need to have the courage to do it. As you do it, you will be making your country’s honour precious and sacred,” Lalong said.

  • Government’s curious approach to halt hate speech

    In the past few weeks, the nation has been awash with plans and actions of the  Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to combat hate speeches and statements. Having spent more than two years in the office, the President realises that some statements, in the name of criticism, or of protecting the interests of some groups, have crossed the national red lines. For this reason, the Federal Government has mandated security agencies, including the police and the army, to check the words uttered and comments  by Nigerians, especially on the social media.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo declared that hate speeches would henceforth be termed an act of terrorism in accordance to the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011.

    Once a soldier, always a soldier. Likewise, a barrister at law should remain as such, irrespective of his activities at any time. For a professor of law to have raised an objection against a form of speech uttered by individuals, it is beyond the realm of law. Legal practitioners are not expected to make errors on issues regarding individual liberty. Of a truth, when  Buhari spoke in a national broadcast, after spending 103 days on medical vacation in London, the one good topic he emphasised was Nigeria’s unity not being negotiable.

    In his speech, the President sounded more of a military potentate than a democratic leader that he should be. His word: “Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media, have crossed our national red lines, by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far.”

    It sounded like the infamous quote of the late Uganda dictator, Idi Amin: “Freedom of speech I can guarantee, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech.” Similarly, Osinbajo drew the line on hate speech when he said: “Hate speech is a species of terrorism. The Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended defines terrorism as an act deliberately done with malice which may seriously harm a country or is intended or can reasonably be regarded as having been done to seriously intimidate a population.”

    The question is: To what extent can freedom of speech be enjoyed democratically before it is pronounced as an hate speech? A democratic system makes provisions for freedom of speech, association, movement and the like. So, one can belong to a political party as a matter of choice; one can speak out when there’s need either verbally or writing.

    Significantly, hate speeches have their roots in the association one belongs to. The divergent political parties in the country cannot be disconnected from what people say about or against the government. Opposition and freedom of speech are basic ingredients of democracy that should never be restrained, because they keep the government on its toes to provide the dividends of democracy to the citizenry as well as check excesses in governance.

    A May, 2017 The Economist report said: “The world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data”. Data is an indispensable commodity strengthening the fastest-growing social media industries, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp. But the Nigerian government is attempting to shrink the growing tide in a way. The government monitoring the social media comments might be a dead end. Data economy cannot shrink in the name of curbing hate speeches. Education can undoubtedly guide or train the minds of youths on how the internet can be used responsibly.’’

    The major problem that paved the way for hate speeches is simply the gap in communication. An instance is on the purported news on Buhari’s death – a rumour that thrived when details regarding the health of the President were shrouded in secrecy.

    Rather than waging a war against the use of social media, the government should channel its efforts to national development and meticulously communicate this to the populace. Good works will speak for themselves, irrespective of any efforts and criticisms made to water them down. When citizens’ sustenance and development are ensured, they will become the heralds of the laudable activities of the government, even while some speak to the contrary.

    The Federal Government launched the Federal Government Information App (FGIAPP) last December to inform the citizenry about the activities of the government, as described by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    The minister stressed: “The activities of the administration are hugely under-reported, hence the need to align with the global trend in information sharing. The government is doing so much, yet people keep saying they do not know because we are not communicating through the right channel. The new app will bridge the gap by using the social media to tell the world what the government is doing.”

    Why then do we intend to monitor social media comments when we can set the minds of many through this same right channel? It is unfair to be strict on what Nigerians comment about the government, while we made alive a platform to praise the same government only.

     

    • Gabriel is a graduating student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

     

  • Senator Tinubu: Hate speeches, quit notices hurt Nigerian nation

    Senator Tinubu: Hate speeches, quit notices hurt Nigerian nation

    Hate speeches and quit notices from one ethnic group to another are injurious to the health of Nigeria as a nation and capable of damaging the gains inherent in its diversity.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, canvassed the position while speaking at the Town Hall Meeting she held with her constituents on Friday at Arcade Hall, Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos.

    She described Nigeria as a complex country, but noted that her greatness lies in its diversity, the different groups that form the whole.

    A coalition of Northern groups called Arewa Youths had earlier issued a notice to Igbo in the Northern part of the country to quit the area by October 1, 2017, but following widespread condemnation, the group later rescinded the quit notice.

    Senator Tinubu commended the Arewa Consultative Forum for prevailing on the youth to withdraw their hurtful call.

    “I also appeal to others to follow suit and take back any statements capable of leading to hostilities and apprehension,” she said at the 23rd Town Hall meeting with the theme ‘Embracing our Complexity and Diversity’.

    The meeting was attended by Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun; Secretary, All Progressives Congress, Lagos State, Hon. Hakeem Bamgbala; Lagos Central Senatorial Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; one-time Commissioner for Finance in the state, Mr. Olawale Edun; former House of Representatives member, Hon. Wale Oshun, and some White Cap Chiefs, among others.

    She charged Nigerians to re-evaluate themselves and those around them to adequately benefit from the diversity of ideas and experiences, which are important for the development of the country.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the 23rd Senator Oluremi Tinubu Town Hall Meeting held at the Arcade Hall Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos …yesterday. PHOTO: TAIWO OKANLAWON

    Senator Tinubu said Nigeria and other states have a lot to learn from Lagos State, pointing out that Lagos “with all the different ethnicities that make up Nigeria residing within her boundaries, has proven that indeed, it is possible to coexist peacefully.

    “This is only possible because of the practice of all-inclusive governance by the Lagos State Government, and provision of opportunities for all regardless of ethnic groups, social standing or religion,” she added.

    The Senator told her constituents that since the last town hall meeting, 34 bills had been presented at the Senate while 30 bills and 15 motions were considered, including a motion sponsored by 108 Senators on the need for national unity and peaceful co-existence.

    “The motion urged amongst others that we embrace patriotism and nationalism while shunning divisive comments. In contributing to the motion, I stressed on my ties to different ethnic communities, the importance of the different parts that make up the whole, and how we all have something to contribute to the development of Nigeria,” she said.

    She also reported the progress made by the Senate so far on the attempt to amend the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    At the constituency level, Senator Tinubu also spoke about her efforts towards getting jobs for some unemployed people in her constituency through the National Directorate of Empowerment.

    She also disclosed among others that the Lagos Senatorial District was included in Small Scale Business Enterprise Management Skills Training Programme organized by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) at Balikisu Iyede Street, Onike-Yaba from Monday July 17– Friday July 21, 2017. The training was targeted towards artisans and ensuring sustainability of business practices.

    Calling for support for the ongoing initiatives of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to fully develop the state, Senator Tinubu said the Lagos of “our dream is closer than ever”.