The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that would heavily sanction broadcast stations that engage in or facilitate hate speech especially as the build-up to the 2019 elections gathers steam.
The Director General of the commission, Is’haq Kawu, said this on Thursday in Enugu at the inauguration of Family Love FM 99.9 at the European Quarters in Ngwo.
Kawu was represented at the event by a director in the commission, Armstrong Idachaba.
He observed that the commission had taken note of the incidence of hate speeches from some parts of the country, adding that it would guard against its infiltration into the broadcast industry.
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“We are already seeing signs of hate speeches among Nigerians and would not tolerate it in the broadcast industry as we prepare for the 2019 elections.
“Our broadcast stations should rather be used to engender tolerance, mutual respect as well as promote unity among Nigerians,” he said.
Kawu noted that the broadcast industry had witnessed tremendous growth in the last few years owing to the complete deregulation of the sector.
He said that there were now about 800 radio stations in the country, adding that what was expected of them was healthy competition.
“We now have a very competitive private sector that is experiencing great growth.
“Competition in the sector now has multiplier effects in the country in terms of job creation and education.
“The competition among the various players in the industry must continue to be friendly”, Kawu said.
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