Story from Kenneth AFOR, Lagos
The face-off between Nigeria and Twitter took another dimension with the Federal Government ordering media organisations in the country to deactivate their accounts with the micro-blogging platform.
This is coming 24 hours after Neptune Prime, a leading online newspaper in the country had deactivated its account.
READ ALSO: Neptune Prime deactivates Twitter account in solidarity with Nigerian Gov’t
In a statement on Monday, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), ordered all radio and television stations operating in the country to deactivate their accounts in line with the ban or risk sanctions.
According to the Acting Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, all television and radio stations should de-install their Twitter handles and “desist from using Twitter as a source (UGC) of information gathering for News and programmes presentation especially Phone-in”.
The statement read: “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.”
The Nigerian government suspended Twitter’s operations over ‘persistent use of the platform for activities that were capable of undermining the country’s corporate existence.
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