Hate Speech Offenders Will Now Be Charged #500,000 – Lai Mohammed

At the inauguration of a seven-man committee to implement the reforms in the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed stated that online news platforms will be regulated and a #500,000 fines placed on any platform that defaults.

He stated this on Thursday, October 10 and said that President Buhari has approved the upward review of fines from N500,000 to N5 million for hate speech offences as well as the amendment to the NBC act to enable it to license WebTv and radio stations, including foreign broadcasters beaming signals into the country.

There is also an upgrade of political comments relating to hate speech to ”Class A” offence in the broadcasting code.

“The terms of reference of the committee are as follows; To establish and publish a new regulation for the licensing of web and internet broadcasters/international broadcasters in Nigeria,” he said.

“To immediately commence work on all statutory, legal and regulatory framework for further legislative action on the review of the NBC act by the national assembly.

“To work out the modalities for competitive and reasonable salaries, wages and other welfare needs of the staff of the commission.

“To establish necessary protocols for the establishment or appointment of professionals or technocrats (non-partisan personality) to run the agency, and appointment into the board of the NBC.

“I have no doubt that this committee, which comprises highly-experienced professionals and administrators, will carry out a thorough job that will reposition the NBC as an effective and efficient regulator,” Lai added.