BREAKING: NBC To Sanction TV, Radio Stations, Others Using Twitter

Television stations, radio stations and other platforms that are still patronising Twitter after the Federal Government ban will face sanction, the National Broadcasting Commission has said.

The Commission which is an agency under the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy said this in a statement by its acting Director-General of the NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, on Monday.

NBC said, “De-install Twitter handles and desist from using Twitter as a source of information gathering for News and programmes presentation especially phone-in.”

The Federal Government had on Friday threatened to block the US based microblogging platform after it deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘civil war’ tweet.

The FG further directed network operators to deactivate Twitter access from their networks.

But lots of Nigerians are still accessing Twitter using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN disguises an Internet Protocol  (IP) address when a user is accessing the internet and makes network location invisible to everyone.

Idachaba said, “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.

“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.”