The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mallam Balarabe Shehu, has identified fake news and hate speech as the most significant threats to Nigeria’s peace and unity.
In a recent address during the 10th edition of a media training event in Umuahia, organized by Vision Africa Radio station, Mallam Shehu cautioned broadcast stations against relying on social media for news sources and subsequent dissemination.
He stressed that broadcasting unverified news is unacceptable and cautioned that severe penalties would be imposed on stations that violate broadcast laws outlined in Section 311 of NBC codes.
The NBC DG emphasized that the regulatory body will not tolerate injurious or offensive messages, emphasizing the importance of credible, fair, and balanced reporting.
Expressing concern, he highlighted the growing trend of journalists and broadcast station personnel relying on information obtained from social media platforms. He warned that any station allowing its platform to be used for inciting hate speech would face heavy sanctions.
Mallam Shehu underscored the responsibility of broadcasters to refrain from utilizing social media as a source of news due to the inherent lack of reliability and credibility.
He urged broadcasters to exercise caution, stating that they must not become a vehicle for undermining Nigeria’s stability.
NBC will take appropriate action against any station that jeopardizes the nation’s interests.
Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, President of Vision Africa, highlighted the importance of the training in an evolving media landscape.
He stressed that equipping journalists and media practitioners with the necessary tools to promote peace, unity, professionalism, and Nigeria’s democratic experience was the primary objective.
Bishop Onuoha appealed to media practitioners in Nigeria to consistently apply professionalism in gathering and disseminating information to prevent harm to the nation’s peace and unity.
Foreign and Nigerian speakers at the event provided participants with insights into broadcasting techniques, social media content, employment opportunities in the media industry, and the imperative of avoiding unethical and inflammatory content.