Hate Speech: Lai Mohammed Says Online Media Will Start Paying 5M Naira Fine

Information and culture minister Lai Mohammed said that we might soon be regulating news platforms.

In an address to the opening of the NBC's seven-person committee of reforms, Mr. Mohammed said that the changes adopted by the NBC were guidelines accepted by the President of the National Broadcasting Commission, Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, Buhari agreed to amend the NBC Act by licensing WebTv and radio stations, including international radio broadcasters that transmit signals to the state.

The minister said the president also approved the adjustment of penalties for breaches in hate speeches of N500,000 to N5 million and the upgrade of policy statements in connection with the' class A' breach in the broadcasting code.

"I'm sure this committee would conduct a thorough job, consisting of highly experienced professionals and administrators, to reassign the NBC as a secure, active regulator," said Mohammed.

“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 a 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