NBC directs broadcasting stations to stop using Twitter

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed broadcasting stations in the country to stop using Twitter, a microblogging platform.

The directive is in a statement issued by Armstrong Idachaba, NBC acting director-general, on Monday.

The federal government announced the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria on Friday.

The suspension came after a tweet of President Muhammadu Buhari was taken down by the social media platform.

Idachaba said stations should uninstall the application “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 NBC Act entrusts the Commission with responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the national laws, rules and regulations,” the DG 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 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.”

Nigerians have been able to access Twitter through the use of a virtual private network (VPN).