All TV and Radio stations should deactivate Twitter accounts – NBC

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has ordered all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to suspend the use of Twitter.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Director General of NBC, Armstrong Idachaba.

Idachaba stated that all television and radio stations in the country are advised to deactivate all twitter handles and desist from using twitter as a source (UGC) of information gathering for News and programmes presentation especially Phone-in.

You would recall that after the announcement of the Twitter ban by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, he had also gone ahead to order the NBC to “immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.”

Following the Information Minister’s directive, the DG of NBC issued his deactivation order which read:

“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.”