The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has charged media stations to avoid promoting hate speech and derogatory statements through political programs.
The head of the Kano zonal Office of the NBC Adamu Salisu, made the statement while he received representatives of the Freedom of Expression team under the Gidan Yanci fellowship program at his office on Tuesday.
He explained that the political program that allowed political critics (Sojojin Baka) to challenge opponents was purposely created to desist them from physical attack and political thuggery.
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He said that they were expressing their anger through the political programs instead of attacking one another.
He added that over the years the right to express political views in the programs was metamorphosed to personal attack and some media stations give room for hate speech.
“We have rules and what guides us is Nigerian Broadcasting Codes and all radio stations have it. Our work is custodian the code is six editions and the seven editions will be launched this year with additional principles that are not captured in the last editions,” he said.
He corroborated that unprofessional journalists, political critics, and political officeholders are those who promote the problem.
Malam Adamu Salisu applauded the Gidan Yanci Fellowship program for its effort to sanitize the political programs in Kano.
He added that he was satisfied with the works of Gidan Yanci which he said would assist them in sensitizing the political critics about the danger of hate speech and its consequences to society.
“They should comprehend that some of their unverified statements or opinions will lead them to prison.
I am happy that people now understand they can challenge any defamation before the court I do hope it will not stop for people only but as well as the media in which the statement was said,” he said.
The NBC assured to collaborate with Gidan ‘Yanci to continue the sensitization and sensitization of the political presenters as well as political critics.
He added that apart from political interference the court judgment that stopped them from fining media stations is the major challenge that halted them from taking actions on media that violate the NBC codes.
Moreover, The head of the Kano zonal Office of NBC Adamu Salisu, said their agency has no right to sue or charge any politician who made a derogatory comment their power is limited on the media stations and they have been sending warnings to those who violated their rules.
On his part, Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim who talked on behalf of the Freedom Of Expression Team said Gidan ‘Yanci will give the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) every necessary support to achieve its goals.
He expressed his happiness as NBC agreed to partner with them to bring meaningful and positive changes to political programs.
