Ahead of the forthcoming elections, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has declared that it would impose sanctions on stations that promote hate speech.
Director-general of the commission, Is’haq Kawu, said this in Enugu at the inauguration of Family Love FM 99.9 in the European Quarters, Ngwo.
Kawu was represented at the event by director in the commission, Mr. Armstrong Idachaba.
He said that the NBC had taken note of hate speech from some parts of the country, adding that it would guard against its infiltration into the broadcast industry.
“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 stated 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 about 800 radio stations in the country, and 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.