Communication — using words, sounds or behaviours to express or exchange information, thoughts and feelings to someone else — is fundamental to human existence.
Perceptive observers however note that in spite of the importance of communication in human daily activities, inappropriate communication could weave up sentiments and emotions that may result in hatred and hostility.
For instance, the1994 Rwanda genocide, described as the one of the most horrific crimes against humanity since the Holocaust of the World War II of 1945, was reported to have been preceded by hate communication.
Observers note that media reports, especially radio broadcast, promoted such hate communication that resulted in a war which devastated the country, killing no fewer than 800,000 people and destroying invaluable property in Rwanda.
They express concern that hate communication has become a worrisome phenomenon due to its negative impact in fuelling socio-economic and political crises, even in Nigeria.
However, the Federal Government insists that something pragmatic ought to be done to check the public recklessness in hate speech, particularly among stakeholders in politics.
Concerned citizens describe the government’s decision as apt, observing that stemming hate communication will contribute to measures towards making the 2019 general elections peaceful.
Preparing a strong platform for sensitising the public to the dangers of hate communication, the Nigeria Press Council in conjunction with Word and Image Ltd., Lagos, organised a workshop in Abuja on hate communication, entitled: “Hate Communication in Nigeria: Identify its Roots and Remedies.’’
During the workshop, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed reminded Nigerians that hate communication should not be seen as free speech, warning the media not to offer their platforms for such speech.
“I have always said that hate speech is not free speech; for example while the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, it does not guarantee freedom of hate speech.
“That’s because hate speech could be the precursor of violence, of genocide.
“A fledgling democracy such as ours is too fragile to luxuriate in hate speech and we must all say no to hate speech,’’ he said.
He commended the seriousness of the Nigerian media for the time devoted to mitigating the dangers of hate communication.
“The fact that the media takes this issue seriously is very encouraging because in most cases, the media –wittingly or unwittingly — provides the platform for the dissemination of hate speech,’’ he observed.
The lead consultant, Word and Image, Chief Jide Adbayo, expressed worry over increasing instances of hate communication in the country and stressed the need for journalists to be in the vanguard of checking the development.
“We are here because our children are from this country and we owe them the responsibility of bequeathing to them a country of mutual trust and love, where they can attain the best of their potential.
“We are here because we are a people of purpose, a people of solution, a people of intellect and a people of direction who are convinced that solution to national challenge lies with the people and with the professionals.
“We believe that solution lies in subjecting issues to the rigour of intellectual, professional and practical examination on analysis which will lead to diagnosis and discovery of solutions,’’ he said.
The chairman of the occasion, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also decried the growing level of hate communication in the country.
Onanuga expressed concern that hate communication was capable of disrupting the corporate existence of the country.
He said that the workshop was apt, adding that the theme was useful to the national mood, considering the prevalence of hate speech.
“It is something to worry about and it is worrisome to me as a Nigerian because the way hate speech is being ventilated every time gives me fear whether there will be a nation in this country in next few months or years,’’ he said.
Onanuga said that Sections 29 and 38 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right of every Nigerian to freedom of speech, expression, freedom of thought and freedom to hold opinion.
He also said that all the Human Rights Charter signed by Nigeria such as the UN Declaration on Human Rights and African Charter on Human Rights guarantee the freedom of expression.
He, however, said that Section 45 of the constitution expressly states that the “freedom is not absolute.
“It is this lacuna of the law of our freedom not being absolute that decides what you call hate speech and libel.”
Onanuga, therefore, urged the Federal Government to invoke the relevant laws such as Cyber Crime Act to check hate.
Sharing similar view, Sen. Suleiman Adoke, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, “hate speech is a global challenge to the extent that social media is being considered for censorship.’’
In his speech, Mr Nnamdi Njemanze, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, reminded the participants that the workshop was conceived to highlight the causes and remedies to hate communication in the country.
He advised media practitioners to adhere to ethical principles as part of efforts to counter hate speech.
He also enjoined journalists and editors to avoid the bandwagon mentality driven by the social media to report poorly sourced news.
Njemanze said that media professionals must respect freedom of expression equality, justice and dignity.
In his opinion, Mr AbdulWaheed Odusile, President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), called for a national dialogue on hate speech to bring all stakeholders together with a view to reminding them about their roles in countering hate speech.
Prof. Nnamdi Ekeanyanwu of International Communication in the Department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo, nonetheless, recommended convocation of a sovereign national conference to address hate speech.
All in all, participants at the workshop believe that the workshop has impacted positively on their thoughts and how best to tame hate speeches among people.(NANFeatures)