NBC code on insult: SERAP challenges commission, cautions Buhari
by Tunde Olorungbotemi
Buhari, NBC logo and SERAP logo
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to caution NBC to refrain from threatening Nigerians with punishment if they insult Nigerian leaders.
The rights group equally advised Buhari to repeal all laws punishing Nigerians simply for exercising their human rights.
NBC had said that it would commence punishment for any broadcast station that violates any of its code. It warned that all broadcast stations should be guided by the ethics and code of the profession.
Citing some of its code, NBC through Chibuike Ogwumike, zonal director of the NBC Lagos office, maintained that: “Section 3.1.: Professional Rules: 3.1.1: states that “No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime, lead to public disorder or hate, be repugnant to public feelings or contain an offensive reference to any person or organization, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity.
“Code: 3.1.19: The broadcast shall not transmit content that denigrates the social norms, values and culture of the society.”
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SERAP via its facebook handle opined: “We urge President Buhari to caution the National Broadcasting Commission to refrain from threatening Nigerians with punishment if they “insult President, governors, senators other leaders.”
“We’ll see in court if the NBC continues to undermine Nigerians’ human rights. Nigerian authorities should stop using “insult” as a pretext to stifle freedom of expression, and as a tool of repression.
“The ‘crime’ of insult is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended), and international human rights law.
“Public figures including those exercising the highest political authority like President and Governors, may be subject to criticism and the fact that some forms of expression are considered to be insulting to a public figure is not sufficient to justify restrictions or penalties.
“We’re again calling on President Buhari to immediately repeal all laws punishing Nigerians simply for exercising their human rights, and to ensure full respect for the human rights of everyone.”
Buhari, NBC logo and SERAP logoThe Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to caution NBC to refrain from threatening Nigerians with punishment if they insult Nigerian leaders.
The rights group equally advised Buhari to repeal all laws punishing Nigerians simply for exercising their human rights.
NBC had said that it would commence punishment for any broadcast station that violates any of its code. It warned that all broadcast stations should be guided by the ethics and code of the profession.
Citing some of its code, NBC through Chibuike Ogwumike, zonal director of the NBC Lagos office, maintained that: “Section 3.1.: Professional Rules: 3.1.1: states that “No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime, lead to public disorder or hate, be repugnant to public feelings or contain an offensive reference to any person or organization, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity.
“Code: 3.1.19: The broadcast shall not transmit content that denigrates the social norms, values and culture of the society.”
•READ IN PHONE APP FOR BETTER KNOWLEDGE (CLICK HERE)
SERAP via its facebook handle opined: “We urge President Buhari to caution the National Broadcasting Commission to refrain from threatening Nigerians with punishment if they “insult President, governors, senators other leaders.”
“We’ll see in court if the NBC continues to undermine Nigerians’ human rights. Nigerian authorities should stop using “insult” as a pretext to stifle freedom of expression, and as a tool of repression.
“The ‘crime’ of insult is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended), and international human rights law.
“Public figures including those exercising the highest political authority like President and Governors, may be subject to criticism and the fact that some forms of expression are considered to be insulting to a public figure is not sufficient to justify restrictions or penalties.
“We’re again calling on President Buhari to immediately repeal all laws punishing Nigerians simply for exercising their human rights, and to ensure full respect for the human rights of everyone.”
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