By Harry Awurumibe, State House, Abuja
Apparently to deter the carriers of Fake News and Hate Speeches, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the withdrawal of the operating licenses of erring media houses that are found to be involved in the unwholesome practices.
This was disclosed today (Wednesday) in Abuja by the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed while briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the Vice President Professor Yemi Osibanjo.
He said that the spread of Fake News and Hate Speeches are capable of setting Nigeria ablaze hence the need for the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to fight the scourge.
According to him “most of the fake news and hate- speeches are on radio and television stations. For this reason the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have been give the approval to hike the fines for such offences and it is to be inserted into the Broadcast Code. So any media house that commits any infringements; indecency of incitement, hate- speeches, will be fined the sum of Five Million Naira (N5m) as against the usual Half a Million Naira has now been approved by Mr. President”
‘In addition, if any broadcast house is found or infringes more than three times its operating license will be withdrawn by NBC”, he revealed.
The Minister also disclosed that “Mr. President has approved the recommendation that henceforth Web Television and Online Radio also should be regulated, in other words they are going to apply for broadcast licenses just like the regular territorial television and radio stations would”.
