The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission- NBC has directed all Broadcasting Stations to suspend the use of Twitter. They were ordered to deactivate their Twitter handles and detest using Twitter to generate as well as disseminate News and other information.
A order was issued via a press release circular from the office of the Director General of the NBC. It is coming after Buhari banned Twitter in Nigeria. It read;
NBC
NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION
Office of the Director General
Public Affairs Department
PRESS RELEASE
June 6, 2021
SUSPEND TWITTER HANDLES
Consequent on the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the
Federal Government over the persistent use of the platform for
activities that are capable of undermining the corporate existence of
Nigeria, the National Broadcasting Commission directs all Broadcasting
Stations in Nigeria to suspend the patronage of Twitter immediately.
In Compliance to the above directive, Broadcasting Stations are hereby
advised to de- install twitter handles and desist from using twitter as a
source (UGC) of information gathering for News and programmes
Presentation especially Phone-in.
Section 2(1) r of the NBC Act entrusts the Commission with responsibility
to ensure strict adherence to the national laws, rules and regulations.
Also, section 3.11.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code provides that “the
broadcaster shall ensure that law enforcement is upheld at all times in
a matter depicting that law and order are socially superior to or more
desirable than Crime and Anarchy.
Attention is also drawn to section 5.6.3 of The Code which requires
Broadcasters to be mindful of materials that may cause disaffection,
incite to panic or rift in the society in the use of a user generated
Content (UGC).
Note that it will be unpatriotic for any broadcaster in Nigeria to continue
to patronise the suspended Twitter as a source of its information
therefore strict compliance is enjoined.
Prof Armstrong Idachaba
