Hate Speech Bill: Beware of entrenching tyranny, anarchy – Archbishop warns law makers

Nigerian law makers have been cautioned to tread softly on their
reported move to pass a bill recommending capital punishment for those
found culpable of hate speech in the country.
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins,
while reacting to the controversy that has greeted the issue, warned
that any attempt by the law makers to criminalize the freedom of
expression, which is an inherent right of every human in a democracy,
would be tantamount to entrenching tyranny and anarchy on the land.
In a release signed by the Acting Director of Social Communications of
the Archdiocese of Lagos, Rev Fr Anthony Godonu, Archbishop Martins
argued that mass advocacy coupled with running a truthful, transparent
and credible government would help to curb hate speech and peddling of
falsehood rather than passing a new law with such an irreversible sort
of punishment. A government that is transparent, truthful and credible
which gives ample evidence of its performances would by itself put
detractors to shame and render them voiceless.
“My attention has been drawn to an on-going move by the law makers to
pass a bill criminalizing hate speech and proposing death sentence for
those convicted. I believe such a move should be discarded as it
borders on infringing on the right to freedom of expression. Would the
passage of such a bill contradict the Nigerian constitution which
provides for the freedom of expression for all citizens? In any case,
there are enough provisions in our law books to address such issues
that border on character assassination, sedition, etc.” Apart from
that, such a law could become a tool for persecuting anyone whose way
of expressing dissenting opinions is offends powerful people in
society. Who determines when an expression of thought becomes hate
speech could become tricky.
“While I agree that there is need to curtail the spread of hate speech
and fake news in the media, the approach to curbing them as being
contemplated would amount to killing a fly with a sledge hammer. I
believe the best way to stop the excesses of those who engage in hate
speech and peddling fake news is through advocacy and continuous
dialogue with the relevant stakeholders in the communications
industry. In addition, it seems hate speech thrives in atmospheres of
distrust, anger and fear. I believe, that if government is able to win
the confidence of the masses by entrenching truth, transparency and
respect for the rule of law in all of its activities, then it would
have removed the fertile soil of deceit upon which falsehood thrives.”
Rather than dissipating energy on attempting to pass bills that would
further create a gulf between the masses of the people and their
leaders, Archbishop Martins urged the law makers to join hands with
the Executive and Judicial arms of government and work towards
providing good governance for all.