BrandiQ Report
Many Nigerians have been commenting on the imposition of N5 million on a radio station by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over what the agency calls promotion of hate speech. NBC had accused Nigeria Info 99.3FM station of promoting hate speech by providing its platform for a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Mailafia, to make unverifiable and inciting views.
Mailafia had, during an interview with the radio station last week, claimed that a northern governor, whose name he did not give, is a leader and financier of Boko Haram terrorists and bandits
A Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana has condemned the N5 million fine imposed on the Lagos-based radio station by the NBC over alleged promotion of hate speech. Falana described the fine as illegal and further added that the amended code under which the radio station was sanction has not got a solid legal backing.
“The chairman of the NBC board disclosed that the amendment of the code authorising the payment of the fine of N5 million was not approved by the board. That means that the amendment of the code has not come into force.
“In view of the fact that the imposition of the N5 million fine was anchored on a purported amendment of the code and since the NBC lacks the legal competence to impose a fine on any broadcasting station without a finding of guilt by a properly constituted criminal court, the NBC should suo mutu quash the illegal fine.”
In his reaction Former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose said Nigeria’s democracy is under threat. Fayose also lambasted the federal government over fine imposed on a Lagos-based radio describing NBC’s action as undemocratic and a ploy to gag the media. Speaking on NBC’s action this Friday, August 14, through his Twitter page, Fayose said that it has become crystal clear that some of the freedoms Nigerians enjoyed even under the Military era have now eluded them. He said when he and some people were campaigning against the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, selfish Nigerians who were interested in grabbing power turned deaf ears. “Unfortunately, when some of us who saw all these coming were warning Nigerians, the selfish ones whose only interest was to grab power turned deaf ears. Now, the consequences are on all Nigerians and it will definitely get worse. May God return Nigeria to the path of greatness! “
Former Vice -President, Atiku Abubakar also said the N5m hate speech fine against the radio station is a naked attempt to gag the media.
