Policy Briefs
DESMAP Council Interact with NBC and NPC on False News and Hate Speech.
In continuation of their advocacy on the need to sensitize the national population, stakeholders and regulatory agencies on negative impact of false news and hate speech, the Savanah Centre constituted Democracy Stability and Media Accountability Project (DESMAP) Council, has interacted with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) in Abuja. The Council Chair Hon. Justice Mohammed Uwais (CJN rtd), said the conversation was to find common grounds for addressing ” the administrative and legal gaps that exist in the extant body of laws and code of ethics on journalism and media practice especially as they relate to the propagation of dangerous, false and hate news.”
NBC Director-General Kawu Modibo commended DESMAP for its proactive intervention and commencing an imperative dialogue, which was long overdue. The Executive Director of NPC Mr. Nnamdi Njamanze, commended DESMAP on beginning the desirable “conversation with the relevant stakeholders to drive process of upholding media accountability.” He noted the growing concern over media content, “the use of intemperate, indecent, unethical language and expressions” in the media. Council member and Selonnes Consult MD/CEO, Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze noted that “the most insidious generators of false news, is the lone perpetrator who feels the awesome power afforded by anonymity and driven by indignation” DESMAP Council members who attended the Abuja interactive session included, Hon Justice Mohammed Uwais, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Dr. Tom Adaba, Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze, Mrs. Joke Silva, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Mr Jude Ilo, and Mrs. N. Joda.
