Nigeria’s apex broadcasting regulatory body the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed all broadcast stations viz Television and radio to suspend forthwith the use of Twitter handles for sourcing, acquisition and/or dissemination of information regarding their platforms and programs. The directive is detailed in a memo dated 6th of June in which the Director General Prof Armstrong Idachaba highlighted sections of the constitution which empowers the commission to to make such proclamations.
In the circular Prof Idachaba refers to the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the Federal government as the reason for the fresh directive to the broadcast stations. The circular thus directs that all broadcast stations de-install all Twitter handles and desist from using them going forward.
According to the circular :
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 National Broadcasting Code provide “that “the broadcast shall ensure that the law enforcement is upheld at all times in a manner that law and order are social superior to and more desirable than crime and anarchy.”
Further section 5.6.3 of the code which reminds broadcasters to be mindful of material that may cause disaffection, incite to panic or rift in the society in the use of a User Generated Content (UGC).
