The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Monday ordered all broadcasting stations in the country to suspend the use of microblogging outfit, Twitter.
The Director General of NBC, Armstrong Idachaba said in a statement on Monday that television and radio stations are 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.”
Recall that Nigeria’s information minister, Lai Mohammed, had last week announced a ban on the activities of Twitter after Twitter deleted a genocidal post by president Muhammadu Buhari threatening Igbos.
Mr Mohammed also ordered the NBC to “immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.”
Read full statement below
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.
