The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a Kano based NGO, has urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ensure effective monitoring of radio and television stations to check hate and unwanted news content as the 2019 general elections draws nearer.

Mr Hamza Ibrahim, CITAD Coordinator, Curbing Hate and Dangerous Speech Project, made the call while addressing newsmen in Kano on Tuesday.

“NBC should be extremely vigilant in their monitoring of hateful and unwanted news content with a view to taking necessary actions on any radio or television station that promote hate and dangerous speech in the country.

“The media should continue to scan their content and stop any hateful and dangerous piece as well as fake news from reaching audience,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the NGO, which is implementing ‘Curbing Hate Speech in Nigeria Project’ for the past four years, is being supported by the MacArthur Foundation.

He, therefore, called all media organisations in the country to always check the authenticity of stories they carried especially now that the 2019 general elections was fast approaching.
“We have noticed that some radio and television stations have continued to allow hate speech either in form of jingles or during live coverage of political rallies, and this has been paving way for another trend of hate speech as the 2019 elections keep approaching,” he said.

He said there was need for the politicians and the two major political parties to caution their followers and supporters against engaging in hate and dangerous speech, as well as fake news creation and circulation.

He said the measure was necessary in view of the fact that such hate and dangerous speech as well as spreading fake news are dangerous and capable of jeopardising the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections,“ he said.

By Tukur Muntari