Media stakeholders call for network of anti-hate speech crusaders

Media stakeholders on Wednesday have been called upon to be proactive in building a network of anti – hate speech crusaders, inculcate the war against hate speech in children through the education curriculum.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued after a webinar organized by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in collaboration with Penpushing media to train Nigerian journalists on the theme, “combating hate speech to build the culture of peace in Nigeria”

The two hours discussion centred on how journalists in the country can play key roles in stemming the tide of hate speech considering the vantage positions they occupy in the dissemination of news and information to the society.

According to a statement by Mr. Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Penpushing publisher, the communiqué noted that, hate speech is not new to us, as it has been with us since creation, but emphasised the need to begin moves to stem trend from tearing the country apart, while advising journalists to promote national unity through their mediums.

”We must identify the sources of hate speech and how to tackle it, and make efforts to report victims of hate speech to relevant law enforcement agencies.

The communiqué further opined that Law enforcement agencies should be able to identify hate speech and be alive to their responsibilities in stemming the tide without necessarily discouraging freedom of speech and expression’.

The communiqué urged governments at all level to be tolerant of opposing views and should not tag criticisms as hate speech.

It further called on the stakeholders in the media industry to train journalists in conflict reporting and multicultural awareness campaign.

In similar vein, media organizations should establish monitoring and evaluation units to sensitize the audience to the dangers of hate speech.

‘It is dangerous to condone unwholesome practices or to be passive to the menace of hate speech, because it is capable of snowballing into violence with unbearable consequences. The fight against hate speech is a collective responsibility’, the participants noted.

The communiqué posited that the building a network of anti-hate speech will equally enable the society to condemn hate speech and offer help to victims of hate speech.

The United Nations Country Director (UNIC), Mr. Roland Kayanja in his remarks expressed delight in collaborating with Penpushing Media, and urged participants to consider how social media should be regulated to prevent the spread of hate speech on various platforms they operate.

The Chairman, Editorial Board of Penpushing Media Olufunke Fadugba, in her welcome speech stated that organising the event would help journalists focus on how they contribute their quota to discouraging hate speech, stressed on the need to discourage hate speech.

The veteran journalist warned that failure to do so would, undoubtedly, affects various strata of our national fabrics, and indeed discourage Direct Foreign Investment that the country urgently needed right now.

The training featured presentations on “Understanding and Identifying Hate Speech”, “International Principles and National Responses to Hate Speech in Nigeria”, “The Role of CSOs in Countering Hate Speech in Nigeria” as well as Countering Online Hate Speech Through Media and Information Literacy (MIL), Hate Speech, Ethical Journalism and National Security – Navigating the Crossroads and Examining Selected Cases of Hate Speech in Nigeria” among other salient issues.

The speakers and facilitators at the training session include Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, who is a Professor of Mass Communications, Dr Ayodele Johnson, a veteran journalist an Associate Professor ,Lead University, Ibadan and Stella Jibrin(Director Research/Documentation, Nigeria Press Council)

The others are Deacon Owolabi Oladejo(Proprietor Metropolitan Broadcasting Services),Baba Kure Abba Jato(Commissioner Home Affairs Information and Culture ,Borno State) and Comfort Umanah(Managing Director, Redemption 1015fm,Abak)

Meanwhile, the communiqué drafting committee include: Eddy Ademosu, Oluremi Olugbenro, Femi Shodunke and Yemisi Fadairo who are all tested media professionals