The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu has described fake news and hate speech as the biggest threats to the peace and unity of Nigeria.
This is even as he has warned broadcast stations in the county against relying on news from social media to build and disseminate their news broadcasts.
The NBC DG gave the warning in Umuahia on Monday during the 10th edition of media training for media practitioners, organized by Vision Africa Radio station, warning that unverified news is not worthy of airing.
Mallam Shehu warned that heavy sanctions awaited broadcast stations in the country that contravene broadcast laws, in line with Section 311 of NBC codes.
He maintained that no injurious or offensive message would be condoned by the broadcast regulator, warning that only credible, fair and balanced reports are acceptable.
He expressed dismay that some journalists and other staff of broadcast stations now rely on information fetched from social media to feed the public, warning that any station that allows its platform to be used to incite hate speech in Nigeria would be sanctioned heavily.
” As broadcasters, you are not expected to take news from social media. That is very irresponsible because you cannot defend it.
”We must not allow our platform to be used to truncate our dear country. NBC will not fold its arms and watch the stations work against the country”
Earlier in his address, the President of Vision Africa, Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha said the training was relevant in a changing world, saying it was aimed at ensuring that Journalists and other media practitioners are equipped with the tools to enhance peace, unity and professionalism as well as enhance Nigeria’s democratic experience.
The Methodist Bishop appealed to media practitioners in Nigeria to always apply professionalism in gathering and disseminating information in a way, it would not destroy the peace and unity of Nigeria.
Foreign and Nigerian Speakers exposed the participants to different techniques in broadcasting and social media content, appetizing job opportunities in the media industry and the need to avoid unethical and inflammatory content.
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