THE National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Monday directed all broadcast stations in Nigeria to immediately suspend the patronage of Twitter.
The NBC in a statement signed by its Director General, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, also said it would be unpatriotic for Nigerian broadcast stations to continue to patronise the suspended Twitter as a source of its information.
He said section 2(1) of the NBC Act entrusts the NBC with the responsibility to ensure strict adherence to national laws, rules and regulations.
“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, therefore, strict compliance is enjoined and in Compliance to the above directive, Broadcasting Stations are hereby advised to de-install twitter handles.
“They are to desist from using twitter as a source (UGC) of information gathering for News and programmes Presentation especially Phone-in.
“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),” the statement read in part.
