Twitter Ban: We will challenge NBC directive in court – By DAAR Communications
Consequent to the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government, DAAR Communications Plc, operators of AIT and Ray Power FM received a directive from the NBC that inter alia:
- All broadcast stations in Nigeria to suspend the patronage of Twitter immediately
- Uninstall Twitter handles
- Desist from using Twitter as a source of information gathering
We note that whilst section 2(1)r of the NBC act entrusts the commission with the responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the national laws, rules and regulations, we contend that an announcement by the federal government does not represent a law of the federal republic of Nigeria, ordinarily we would disregard this statement as political backlash by the federal government in response to twitter’s suspension of President Buhari’s comment on their platform.
Ordinarily, we would expect the Honorable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to advise the government on the legal and constitutional framework within which legal authority and credence can be given to the federal government’s announcement.
Ordinarily, we would have challenged the NBC and Federal Government in court on their authority to arbitrarily infringe on Sections 39(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guaranteeing freedom of expression as a fundamental right of Nigerian citizens and Sections 22 of the same Constitution guaranteeing press freedom.
Ordinarily, we would challenge the national broadcasting commission to quote the relevant sections of the constitution, the NBC act or the jurisprudence of our laws from which they derive their authority to direct broadcasters on where to source newsworthy information and interfering in our editorial decisions by prohibiting us from sourcing information, citizen opinions and expressions from the Twitter platform.
We, therefore, regret to inform our teeming viewers and audiences that in compliance with the directive by the NBC following the federal government’s suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria, that we are henceforth and with immediate effect suspending the use of Twitter to disseminate information and to gather newsworthy information and opinions from the platform.
We will seek to challenge this directive in court as soon as the courts resume and will be guided by judicial interpretation of this directive going forward. In the interim, follow us and continue the conversation on @aitonline on Facebook and +2348029476575 on WhatsApp.
