NBC Directs TV, Radio Stations to Deactivate Twitter Accounts

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to suspend the use of the microblogging platform, Twitter. The directive was contained in a statement issued by its Director-General, Armstrong Idachaba.

Idachaba said television and radio stations are urged 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 Nigerians have been denied access to Twitter and can only access it by bypassing domain restrictions through VPNs due to the suspension of the social media giant.

Twitter’s sanction came up after Buhari’s controversial tweet about the civil war which some Nigerian users flagged and Twitter said violated its rules.

The government, in its response, accused the platform of bias against President Buhari and “undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”.

Despite human rights groups and foreign organisations intervention in the matter, the federal government issued another statement directing all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to suspend the use of the microblogging platform.

Read the full statmemt below:

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.