Following the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the federal government, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had directed all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to also deactivate the patronage of Twitter immediately.
The directive was given in a statement by Prof Armstrong Idachaba on Sunday, June 6, 2021.
The government had frowned at the persistent use of the platform for activities, which it claimed were capable of undermining the corporate existence of Nigeria.
Prof. Idachaba had said: “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 presentation, especially phone-in.
“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 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.”
