NBC’s Twitter Directives Attacks Media And Freedom Of Speech – Radio Now

Radio Now says National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Twitter directives is an attack on the constitutional right of Nigerians.

Gatekeepers News reports that the Managing Director Radio Now 95.3FM, Kadaria Ahmed, says the directives by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on the use of Twitter by broadcast media goes against Section 39(1) and Section 21 of the Nigeria Constitution.

Section 39(1) guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental right.

Section 22 of Nigeria’s constitution guarantees press freedom by stating that the press, radio, television, and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.

Ahmed in a statement said Radio Now noticed that the NBC directive goes against these laws.

The Managing Director, said the Radio Station will comply with the directive of the commission “under duress”, while they consult with their lawyers on the legality of this directive.

She lamented, “we too are dismayed at the direction our beloved nation is headed but while we recognise the responsibility of the government to act where it sees a threat to the country, we believe such decisions must consider the implication for press freedom, our fragile democracy & the impact on livelihoods.”

“Solutions that continue to give Nigerians the use of what has become a tool for freedom, that has democratised information particularly for minorities and the most vulnerable in society; while also fighting against hate speech are surely the way forward.”

She, however, said “Radio Now is not convinced a ban on Twitter, and a directive by NBC, barring broadcasting stations from using the platform is the right way.”

Radio Now, therefore, urged the government to “go back and engage with experts many of whom abound in the country on how to fight hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation while respecting and upholding rights that are fundamental in a democracy.”

Gatekeepers News earlier reported that NBC directed all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to suspend the patronage of microblogging platforms, uninstall their Twitter handles and desist from using the platform as a source of information gathering.