Civil Society Organisation (CSO), operating under the auspices of the Open Justice Initiative (OJI), has issued a stern warning to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), threatening legal action if it does not take decisive steps to prohibit the airing of what it deems offensive same-sex content on Nigerian television. Specifically, the CSO demands the banishment of platforms such as Netflix and TikTok from Nigeria’s airwaves.
Furthermore, the CSO implores the NBC to extend its ban to encompass other social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook, citing concerns related to the aforementioned subject matter.
Donald Ayibiowu, a lawyer and program officer at OJI, articulated these demands in a letter directed to Mr. Charles Ebuebu, the director-general of the NBC.
A certified true copy of the letter, titled “Need to ban and bar the continuous broadcast of offensive same-sex contents on Nigeria’s airwaves by Netflix and other specialised broadcast outlets,” was provided to journalists in Abuja. This correspondence was officially received by the Commission on April 23, 2024.
The letter stated, “We write to draw the esteem attention of your commission to some obnoxious and repugnant same-sex contents being aired or transmitted by some broadcast outfits operating within the Nigeria broadcast space, which platforms includes Netflix and some social media entities.
“These abhorrent contents being campaigned about borders on the promotion of amorous relationships between persons of same sex on the said platforms.
“We received complaints on this topic from well-meaning Nigerians and religious organisations and further discovered that the broadcast contents/materials on these platforms are laced with embedded scenes/episodes where same-sex relationships are practically being propagated.
“We also conducted research on some social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter (X), Facebook (Meta), etc with regards to this subject, and found same hazardous and illegal same-sex content being promoted and transmitted.
“It is clear that there is an agenda to surreptitiously lure the unsuspecting young population of this country to this satanic habit/lifestyle of same-sex practice in Nigeria by subtly introducing same through entertainment and showbiz industry, albeit through the airwaves.
“It is now commonplace to see some of these illegal contents being conveyed on social media and specialised platforms in Nigeria.
“We wish to point out that these contents are clearly being aired or transmitted in contravention of our extant laws such as Sections 4(2) and 5(2} of the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013,” he said.
The lawyer asserted that the subtle propagation and promotion of certain acts through various mediums aimed to undermine moral integrity, destabilize, displace, and contaminate society with morally reprehensible values. He emphasized that this agenda also sought to undermine longstanding cultural norms and the sacred religious beliefs concerning only male and female genders as ordained by a higher power.
Ayibiowu warned that if the commission did not take measures to halt, limit, or eliminate same-sex promotional material/content from Nigerian airwaves, they would pursue additional legal recourse to ensure the creation of a more morally sound broadcasting environment in Nigeria.
