By Our Correspondent
The Federal Government has issued a directive to broadcast stations in the country to forthwith stop the usage of the social media platform, Twitter.
The government, a couple of days ago, suspended the use of the popular handle among all Nigerians, a development that has been drawing the ire of a wide spectrum of Nigerians, particularly the youth.
But in a new development on Monday, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) directed that broadcast stations too ought to stop using the platform.
The directive, contained in a statement dated Sunday, 6th June, and signed by the Director-General of the commission, Professor Armstrong Idachaba, a copy of which SalientTimes saw, claims that the use of the platform for activities capable of undermining the corporate existence of the nation is responsible for the decision.
“Consequent upon 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 (NBC) directs all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to suspend the patronage of Twitter immediately.
“In compliance with the above directive, broadcast stations are, hereby, advised to de-install Twitter handles and desist from using Twitter as a source, User Generated Content (UCG) of information gathering for news and programmes presentation, especially Phone-in.
“Section 2(1) of the NBC Act entrusts the commission with the responsibility to ensure strict adherence to 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 UGC,” the statement read.
The NBC, therefore, warned of the danger of desirability of using Twitter as it had been banned by the government.
“Note that it would 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,” Idachaba said.
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