FG Raises Fine For Hate Speech To N5 Million
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the Federal Government has raised the fine for hate speech to five million naira.
According to a statement by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the Minister revealed this in Lagos while unveiling the Reviewed Broadcasting Code.
He announced that the fine for hate speech was raised from 500,000 Naira to 5 million Naira.
Mohammed said the amendments were necessitated by a Presidential directive, in the wake of the 2019 general elections.
The Minister said the recommendations were approved by the President Buhari to reposition the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC to perform its regulatory role better mostly in the areas of political broadcasting, local content, coverage of emergencies, advertising, and anti-competitive behaviour.
The government also mandated broadcast stations to devote airtime for public education and enlightenment on emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.