The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has described the action of the National Broadcasting Organisation, NBC, as a joke for slamming a N5 million fine on a Lagos-based radio station, Nigeria Info for alleged hate speech.
In a statement issued on Monday by its President, Chris Isiguzo, the union said the fine is outrageous and an act of impunity against the media. He noted that the clampdown on media is a sign of weak democracy, urging the regulatory body to immediately withdraw the fine levied against the radio station.
Isiguzo asked the federal government to find better solutions to check the menace of hate speech and fake news in the country rather than fine or shut down media houses in the country.
He said the imposition of a fine is in violation of the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the safety of journalists.
Part of the statement reads, “We note with regret the fine of N5 million imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Nigeria Info Radio for an alleged hate speech and call on the Federal Government to end the impunity for all crimes against journalists and the Media. This fine is outrageous and an act of impunity against the media.
“It is disheartening to note that, for several years now, Nigeria has continued to record some of the highest levels of violence targeting journalists in the media. These statistics are unacceptable to the Nigeria Union of Journalists. We continue to advocate for measures on safety and security of Journalists and press freedom.”
