Twitter Ban: NBC Moves Against Broadcasting Stations, Orders Deinstallation Of Twitter Handles

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has ordered “all Broadcasting Stations in Nigeria to suspend the patronage of Twitter immediately.”

The order is in apparent bid to effect the Federal Government’s ban on Twitter operations and usage in Nigeria.

The Director General of NBC, Armstrong Idachaba, gave the order via a statement dated June 6, 2021

He said following the directive, “Broadcasting Stations are hereby advised to deinstall twitter handles and desist from using twitter as a source (UGC) of information gathering for News and programmes Presentation especially Phone-in.”

Further, he cited “Section 2(1) r of the NRC Act”, saying that it entrusts the Commission with responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the national laws, rules and regulations.

Also, he said 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 desirabie than Crime and Anarchy.”

The full text of the statement reads:

June 6, 2021

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 deinstall 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 NRC 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 desirabie than Crime and Anarchy.

Attention {s 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.

For Armstrong Idachaba