The new rule, which will take effect on October 1, 2017, was communicated to media houses on August 10 during a meeting held at the commission’s zonal office at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

At the meeting, the zonal director of NBC, Matthew Okoduwa, expressed profound worry for the comments some Nigerians make during phone-in segments of live programs. He blamed presenters and show anchors for giving people the opportunity to air hateful statements on live shows.

Mr. Okoduwa said that he understood that many Nigerians are angry and frustrated about the state of the nation, but emphasized that hate speech is not the way to express such frustration. He warned that the country is very volatile, hence media houses need to control the kind of comments Nigerians are allowed to make on television and radio broadcasts.

The director also limited newspaper reviews to once a day, urging viewers and listeners to contribute such reviews on social media rather than on television or radio programs.

“Newspaper reviews can only be broadcast once a day in a station. Anything more than that would amount to a breach of the new rule,” the director explained.

Mr. Okoduwa mandated that broadcast stations use screeners to censor calls before they go live on programs. He also said programs can only have five call-in shows per day.

The commission also mandated that henceforth, the cost of phone calls must be borne by the station and not individuals calling in.

Speaking on the discussion of judicial cases, Mr. Okoduwa said media houses cannot hold a discussion about ongoing court cases, stating that filed suits can only be discussed at the early stage and at the final stage after judgment has been given.

Some media houses have raised concerns over this new set of rules issued by the NBC.

One concern is that the new rules compromise free speech, as it could deny Nigerians the opportunity to voice their opinions on important political and social issues.

Others have lamented that the new rules will impose new expenses on radio and television stations, as they will now have to bear the cost of phone calls and purchase screening machines.

“I believe that this will restrict the free speech of Nigerians,” a media practitioner who requested anonymity told our correspondent.

“Putting the cost of calls solely on the shoulder of stations will likely mean most stations will only have one or two toll-free lines, which reduces the ways in which Nigerians can voice their opinions. The costs of toll-free lines and call screening machines may prove high for some stations, making them choose between giving Nigerians access to voicing their opinions and their expense sheet.”

The new regulations came less than a week after a hateful song inciting violence against Igbos was circulated in northern Nigeria.

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2017/08/17/national-broadcasting-commission-moves-censor-phone-programs

ie anybody who calls Buhari a burukutu sipping drunkard or Fulani murderers terrorist herdsmen or threatens that blood of hyenas and baboons will be spilled if he loses an election will be guilty of hate speech. What a time to be alive

Later they wl extend it to seun & lalasticlala's domain

If people called and start insulting these bad administration due to the frustration they've been passing through, so na the station go pay? Shey na dem tel d person to call?
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These NBC are some how becoming dumb o.

like (1) both the dogs and baboons would be soaked in blood (2) 97% and 5% should not expect to be treated equally (3)I would not release Nnamdi Kanu (despite two court orders)

Seguntimmy:
If people called and start insulting these bad administration due to the frustration they've been passing through, so na the station go pay? Shey na dem tel d person to call?
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These NBC are some how becoming dumb o.

calling lai Mohammed a liar is now a punishable offense without a court trial.

mgbadike81:
calling lai Mohammed a liar is now a punishable offense without a court trial.

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I wonder o, calling President Buhari a foreigner is also now punishable, nawa o

Then all the radio and TV stations across Nigeria will go in extinction as a result of NBC fines

This is an infringement on freedom of speech.

A person is free to make any statement however such state could be subject to litigation.

The NBC should instruct all radio stations to have recording for all callers and then if the notice a defamatory statement, the should track down the caller and sue the person.

The last time I check, we're in a democratic state where freedom to make comment, whether hateful or otherwise is allowed. If 80% of callers were hateful in their comment, that means something is seriously wrong and they should device a way to solve whatever issue that's onboard. However, reverse is the case in this discombobulated nation. Instead of looking for solution, they are looking for a way to suppress the press.

You guys should kontinue

Make NBC go die

Seun should also fine any tribalistic nairalander 500k

Freedom of Speech

I wanted to disagree with the new law until I remembered how hate and tribalistic messages have taken over the sanity of some Nairalanders these days. I think such a law should be made to cover social media too cos some Nigerians especially youths are already losing it.

How I wish NBC could also bring such Fine to Nairaland...

Tired of the hating, we do this today not knowing what it holds for us tomorrow..

Rubbish !!.

This govt is allergic to truth. I will keep saying the truth and nobody will stop me.

My mind is telling me that they will come for owner of this forum to deactivate comment section. But God pass them

Buhari and apc is the worst shameless baby-government in the history of politics. They're trying everything within their miserable power to completely silence the privileges of common man on national issues. It didn't start today neither is it limited to radio and TV stations, even the management of nairaland is compromised to check those who are likely speaking the truth and realities regarding their fallacious, deceitful and dubious activities within the government, and the name they gave it is Hate Speech. This is why you see the Nairaland mods banning people at any slightest or no provocations just because you spoke against the views and conducts of their paymasters. But people like ipodexposed will bring in all manner of propaganda and say all manner of fallacious concoctions here on nairaland, but because it meant to condemn Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB either by hook or crook they don't see reasons for their banns. No matter what they do, they can never escape being confronted with the truth in every available means. That's why they tried so hard to jam radio Biafra but God kept jamming them and their National fortunes, and so shall it continue until the fraudulent entity disappears from existence.

Who calls a radio station before

Whatever...... afterall all the talking, tweeting, posting, facebooking, instagraming ......is not solving anything hate or not everything is rather worsening.

this regime and everything thereof, is of d devil

No way

na only money 9ja sabi mtchew

Nawa oo
Freedom of speech being taken away

I love this…..next is to jail those who make such hate speech without option of fine or bail…..no bail at all be it on health condition or not. We dont want peeople faking illnes to get bail.

Buhari has murdered freedom of speech..


yet some young Nigerians below the age of 30 would be shouting "sai baba" after BMC pays dem allowee of N1k

misplaced priorities..

Ajekun Iya

The hate speech and tribal wars on Nairaland too is at it's highest level.

vladimiros:
Buhari has murdered freedom of speech..

Hmm
Hate speech is an exception to Freedom of speech...

what kinda fuckery is this?

Hate speeches are a dangerous phenomena, the government has no choice but to nip it in the bud especially at this time when things are becoming rapidly climatic.