Nigeria halts BBC news bulletins

Many Africans rely on foreign stations for international news

Nigerian radio stations have stopped re-broadcasting live news from abroad, after a ban announced on Tuesday.

The BBC - one of the stations affected - said it was saddened by the decision, but would now boost shortwave transmissions which remain unaffected.

Nigeria's Broadcasting Commission chief Dr Silas Babajiya Yisa said local stations should always have editorial control over everything they broadcast.

He said foreign live broadcasts could harm Nigeria's national interest.

Dr Yisa has also banned stations from transmitting unconfirmed reports of religious miracles.

"We realise the sensitivity of religion to our people but this should not be exploited unduly in disregard of the sensibilities of the audience just for profit," said Dr Yisa.