Part of the recommendation, he said approved includes the amendment of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act “to enable NBC license WebTv and radio stations.”
Speaking to ITREALMS on Sunday at a ministerial briefing in Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed, insisted that all the recommendations as outlined for NBC Implementation Committee recently set up by the Federal Government will be executed to the letter.
“Let me be straight: No amount of attacks, sponsored or otherwise, will stop the implementation of the approved recommendations,” he asserted.
According to him, only non-patriots and anarchists will kick against measures aimed at putting an end to what he called “fake news and hate speech.”
These, he said, are rampant in the broadcast industry.
“Only those who are guilty should be afraid of the efforts to sanitize the broadcast industry,” he maintained.
Pointing out that responsible broadcasters have nothing to fear, stressing that its not a move to stifle free speech or gag anyone.
“But purveyors of fake news and hate speech should not expect to sleep easy,” he said.
Some of the highlights of the recommendations include:
i) Independence of the NBC from political interference in the exercise of its regulatory powers, particularly with respect to the issuance and withdrawal of broadcasting license.
ii) A review of the National Broadcasting Code and extant broadcasting laws to reflect the following amendments;
- Upward review of fines from N500,000 to N5,000,000 for breaches relating to hate speeches, inciting comments and indecency
- Wilful repeat of infractions on three occasions after levying fine on a station to attract suspension of license
- Upgrade of breach of political comments relating to hate speeches and divisive comments to ''Class A'' offence in the Broadcasting Code, among others.
Chuks Egbuna/Editor
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