Stakeholders in the Nigerian media have demanded the setting up of an industry-wide anti-hate speech network, reports ITREALMS.
A communiqué arising from the webinar available to ITREALMS, they also focused on how Nigerian journalists can play their key roles in stemming the tide of hate speech in the country considering the vantage positions they occupy in the dissemination of news and information in the society.
They noted that, hate speech is not new to us, as it has been with us since creation, but emphasised need to begin moves to stem it from tearing the society apart, and instead journalists should use their media to promote national unity.
"We must identify the sources of hate speech and how to tackle it, while efforts should be made to ensure victims of hate speech report to relevant law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement agencies should be able to identify hate speech and be alive to their responsibilities in stemming the tide, without necessarily discouraging freedom of speech and expression’, the communiqué stated.
The communiqué said government should be tolerant of opposing views and should not tag criticisms as hate speech, adding that. Journalists should be trained in conflict reporting and multicultural awareness campaign.
The participants which cut across all six geo-political zones of the country said, in similar vein, media organizations should establish monitoring and evaluation units to sensitize the audience to the dangers of hate speech.
"It is dangerous to condone unwholesome practices or to be passive to the menace of hate speech because it is capable of snowballing into violence with unbearable consequences. The fight against hate speech is a collective responsibility’, the participants noted.
They equally posited that the building of a network of anti-hate speech will enable the society to condemn hate speech and offer help to victims.
The United Nations Country Director (UNIC), Mr. Roland Kayanja in his remarks expressed delight in collaborating with Penpushing Media, and urged participants to consider how social media should be regulated to prevent the spread of hate speech on various platforms they operate.
The Chairman, Editorial Board of Penpushing Media, Mrs Olufunke Fadugba, in her welcome speech stated that organising the event would help journalists focus on how they contribute their quota to discouraging hate speech, stressed on the need to discourage hate speech.
The veteran journalist warned that failure to do so would, undoubtedly, affects various strata of our national fabrics, and indeed discourage Direct Foreign Investment that the country urgently needed right now.
The training featured presentations on "Understanding and Identifying Hate Speech", "International Principles and National Responses to Hate Speech in Nigeria", "The Role of CSOs in Countering Hate Speech in Nigeria" as well as Countering Online Hate Speech Through Media and Information Literacy (MIL), Hate Speech, Ethical Journalism and National Security - Navigating the Crossroads and Examining Selected Cases of Hate Speech in Nigeria" among other salient issues.
The facilitators at the session include Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, who is a Professor of Mass Communications, Dr Ayodele Johnson, a veteran journalist and an Associate Professor, Lead University, Ibadan and Director, Research/Documentation at the Nigeria Press Council (NPC), Stella Jibrin.
The others are the Proprietor Metropolitan Broadcasting Services, Deacon Owolabi Oladejo; Commissioner, Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Borno State, Baba Kure Abba Jato and Managing Director, Redemption 1015fm, Abak, Mrs. Comfort Umanah.
ITREALMS gathered that the communiqué drafting committee includes Eddy Ademosu, Oluremi Olugbenro, Femi Shodunke and Yemisi Fadairo who are all tested media professionals.
Ayo Midele/Editor
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