#TwitterBan: Nigerian Online media platforms host joint conference on #TwitterSpaces

As Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day on the 12th of June, a coalition of independent online media have announced a joint conference to discuss digital media rights and freedoms across the country.

The conference tagged; ‘A conversation about Nigeria’s shrinking media and civic spaces’ is following the recent suspension of Twitter services by the Federal Government of Nigeria on 4 June 2021 and the directive that all social media platforms and online broadcasting service providers operating in Nigeria apply for broadcast licence with the National Broadcasting Commission.

In a joint media statement on Friday, the media organisations said “the shutdown of social media platforms and subsequent forced regulations, violate the right to freedom of expression and access to information, contrary to Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

A truly democratic society depends on citizens being able to hold informed opinions and express them – both in voting booths and in their day-to-day lives.  It’s important that people are able to ask questions of the people in power and debate decisions which affect them and their fellow citizens.

A Free and independent media is society’s greatest ally in  achieving this.”

The joint conference which will be hosted on Twitter Spaces, will hold on Saturday June 12, 2021 at 2pm.
The conference will feature independent journalists, traditional and new media platforms, civil society representatives and other stakeholders.