The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed all Broadcasting Stations in Nigeria to suspend the patronage of Twitter immediately.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof Armstrong ldachaba, NBC said the directive is consequent on the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government over what it described as the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining the corporate existence of Nigeria.
In compliance with the above directive, NBC said all Broadcasting Stations are to de-install Twitter handles and desist from using Twitter as a source of information gathering for News and programmes presentation, especially Phone-in.
The broadcasting regulator stated in the statement that section 2(1) 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 panic, or rift in the society in the use of user-generated content.
“Note that it will be unpatriotic for any broadcaster in Nigeria to continue to patronize the suspended Twitter as a source of its information therefore strict çompliance is enjoined,” it noted.