The deinstall order by the National Broadcast Commission (NBC) is getting partial compliance as the majority of the top broadcast houses are yet to delete their handles from the platform, although tweeting activities have been suspended.
Some of the broadcast operators including television and radio houses are releasing statements clearly expressing their displeasure with the order by NBC.
Leading the charge to stand up to the broadcast regulator is DAAR Communications PLC, the owners, and operators of Africa Independent Television (AIT), Raypower FM, and Faaji Radio.
The company said they would head to court to challenge the order once the strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria is over.
The NBC had claimed its right to order broadcasters to deinstall was derived from Sections 2 (1), 3.11.2 as well as 5.6.3 of the NBC Act.
Read Also: Nigeria loses N90.7m every hour Twitter stays blocked
However, DAAR Communications in a statement noted that while the NBC Act gives the commission the responsibility to ensure adherence to the national laws and regulations, an announcement by the Federal Government does not represent a law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While it plans to challenge the order in court, DAAR Communications said it would suspend the dissemination of information and the use of Twitter to gather newsworthy information and opinions from the platform. As of the time of writing this article the company’s handle on Twitter has yet to be deleted.
Radio Now, a local radio station also issued a statement expressing disappointment with the order from NBC.
“We believe this amounts to an attack on the media and freedom of speech, both of which are guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria. Section 39(1) guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental human right,” the statement read.
Christian media organisations like Redeemed Christian Church of God also said it has a presence in over 170 countries and its right to dissemination through Twitter is enshrined by the UN.
