Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has reacted to the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC directive to all broadcast stations in Nigeria to suspend the usage of Twitter with immediate effect.
The body called the NBC directive patently unlawful and unconstitutional.
The NBC had reportedly stated that the decision followed the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government over purported use of the platform for “activities that are capable of undermining the corporate existence of Nigeria.”
But SERAP in a statement issued on Monday 7th June 2021, by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare stated: “This NBC directive is itself unlawful because it is based on another unlawful decision by the Federal Government to suspend Twitter in Nigeria. NBC’s directive has political interference written all over it. It is a blow to Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression, media freedom, media independence and diversity. The directive must be immediately withdrawn.”
The statement, read in part: “Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. This action by NBC is yet another nail in the coffin for human rights, media freedom and independent journalism under this government.”
“The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights should publicly and vigorously express concerns over the Nigerian government’s increasingly brutal crackdown on media freedom, and use all possible means to urge the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to protect and respect freedom of expression.”
“The international community should stand with the broadcast stations and journalists and make clear to the Nigerian government that freedom of expression, media freedom, transparency and accountability, as well as respect for the rule of law are essential to democracy.”
“The UN and donors should continue to take every opportunity to call on the Nigerian government to rescind the unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, respect freedom of expression, and media freedom, and hold to account anyone targeting broadcast stations and journalists simply for carrying out their professional duty.”