Striking a balance between freedom of expression and political violent: rights and restriction under the international and domestic instrumentss

Abstract

Freedom of expression is globally recognized as an important metric enjoyed by citizens to limit government power and demand for free, transparent, fair and good governance in a democratic society. However, there has been evidence of dramatic use of sensitive but violent driven language by politicians as tool for pursuing political agenda under the pretext of freedom of expression. The paper explores the relationship between sensitive politically violent language and freedom of expression, the problems concerning their conceptualization and further understanding. Its main argument is that a stronger dialogue exists between what are known as unsavory, sensitive and instigative language and political violence. Arguably, absence of regulatory mechanisms to restrict such language on the basis of freedom of expression may affect peace and stability in Nigeria, which all government tools are designed to achieve. In this context the paper argued in favour of placing some restrictions on sensitive violent driven political language without undermining the right to freedom of expression