By ABUBAKAR YUSUF

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed all broadcast stations in Nigeria to suspend further patronage of Twitter on its broadcasting medium forthwith.

This is sequel to the Federal Government’s decision that suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on Friday, June 4, 2021.

A statement issued on Monday and signed by NBC Acting Director General, Professor Armstrong Aduku Augustine Idachaba, said “all broadcast stations are hereby advised to de-install and desist from deploying Twitter handles both in gathering information for news, programme presentation and phone in.”

According to the statement, “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.

The statement referred to some sections of the NBC act that justified the decision of the regulatory agency

“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.”