Let’s do away with hate speech, NBC chairman counsels Politicians

The chairman stated this during a two day workshop for head of broadcast media, held in Sokoto.

The theme of the programme is “media coverage of 2015 elections; challenges, regulatory framework and the the way forward for a more democratic society” in which different papers were presented at the workshop.

He described some of the challenges that can mar peaceful conduct of elections to many vices among them are hate speech, attacks on the personality of contestants rather than issues based political campaign.

In one of the paper presented at the workshop, Prof Jubril Ibrahim, titles ” Presentation of Tapestry Hate Speech Research,” he urged NBC to review their laws so as to guide against hate speech.

The professor also advises media houses against spreading of hate speech, saying, ” it could destroy the election as well as the country if not well checked.”

Also speaking, Professor  Umar Pate who also delivered a paper ” 2015 General Elections; Divisive Rhetorics and Use of the Broadcast Media.”

Prof. Pate also advised media houses to be watchful and not in anyway aired or participate in hate speeches so as not cause any unrest in the country.

The Sokoto State commissioner of information, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo also praised the concerned media houses for playing a vital role in the continue unity of the country.

” I appreciate your cooperation and encourage you to continue to be the watchdogs for the success of the forthcoming 2019 general elections” he explained.

In his own contribution, the presidential aspirant of ………., Mr Omoyele Sowore who was in Sokoto for a political engagement and make a brief appearance at the venue of the workshop where he described his contribution to the success of 2015 general elections.

The Chairman of online Media, Sahara Reporter’s clamours for the participants of online Media in the future engagement.

He described the coming elections as not for the two major political parties in the country, the People’s Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress, saying ” a big suprise awaits the traditional politicians in the country come 2019.”