The Federal Government has increased the hate speech fine from N500,000 to N5 million in its reviewed Nigeria Broadcasting Code containing the Antitrust Provision.
Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed stated this at the unveiling ceremony organised by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Lagos on Tuesday.
The minister said the Antitrust Provision will boost local content and local industry due to laws prohibiting exclusive use of rights by broadcasters who intend to create monopolies.
Mohammed said the amendments were necessitated by a presidential directive in the wake of the 2019 general elections for an inquiry into the regulatory role of the NBC with a view to repositioning the regulator for optimum performance.
“But, as it currently stands, the 6th edition and the amendments, which we are unveiling today, remain the regulations for broadcasting in Nigeria. Our intention remains the good of the country. We need to catalyze the growth of the local industry. We need to create jobs for our teeming creative youths. The opportunities must be created and we believe that effective regulatory interventions are a sure way of attaining this. That’s why we will not waver,” he said.
The minister also said the Antitrust Provision would encourage open access to premium content. “I must explain that this provision is not new to Nigeria broadcasting. Exclusivity was disallowed at a certain time in the history of our broadcasting. I recall Multichoice sub-licensing EPL matches to other local operators in Nigeria. I recall HITV engaging several local operators on sub-licensing the EPL when they got the rights.”
Mohammed added: “The provisions on responsibility of broadcast stations to devote airtime to national emergencies…obviously mandates terrestrial and Pay TV channels to make their services available to Nigerians at time of national emergencies – like the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic – for their education and enlightenment.”
