The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed all social media platforms and online broadcasting service providers operating in Nigeria to apply for broadcast licence, reports ITREALMS.
The Director-General at NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, gave the directive in a newspaper advertorial published on Thursday and endorsed by him.
ITREALMS recalls that this is following the heels of the General Mohammadu Buhari’s Federal Government’s announcement last week that Twitter and other social media platforms must register as a Nigerian company for them “to do business in Nigeria.”
Industry watchers raised concerns, alleging that General Buhari’s administration is clamping down on free speech and internet freedom, but the government has since denied this.
The NBC advertorial, the DG said the Commission has the establishment code that empowers it to ask the companies to be licensed.
According to him, “Section two (b) of the NBC Act of 2004 states: “(1) The Commission shall have [the] responsibility of: Receiving, processing and considering applications for the establishment, ownership or operation of radio and television stations including (i) cable television services, direct satellite broadcast and any other medium of broadcasting.”
The advertorial reads: “The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) hereby directs every Online Broadcast Service provider and Social Media Platforms operating within the Nigerian State to apply and obtain broadcast licence for their service(s).
“Note that any Online Broadcast Service Provider that fails to obtain a licence will be considered an illegal entity.”
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ITREALMS recalls that this is following the heels of the General Mohammadu Buhari’s Federal Government’s announcement last week that Twitter and other social media platforms must register as a Nigerian company for them “to do business in Nigeria.”
Industry watchers raised concerns, alleging that General Buhari’s administration is clamping down on free speech and internet freedom, but the government has since denied this.
The NBC advertorial, the DG said the Commission has the establishment code that empowers it to ask the companies to be licensed.
According to him, “Section two (b) of the NBC Act of 2004 states: “(1) The Commission shall have [the] responsibility of: Receiving, processing and considering applications for the establishment, ownership or operation of radio and television stations including (i) cable television services, direct satellite broadcast and any other medium of broadcasting.”
The advertorial reads: “The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) hereby directs every Online Broadcast Service provider and Social Media Platforms operating within the Nigerian State to apply and obtain broadcast licence for their service(s).
“Note that any Online Broadcast Service Provider that fails to obtain a licence will be considered an illegal entity.”
Nenye Dom/Editor
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