Amnesty, SERAP seek withdrawal of NBC directive

Nigeria's vibrant media landscape is facing a significant challenge following a directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Human rights organizations Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have strongly criticized the NBC's notice, released on April 17, 2026, deeming it an attempt to stifle press freedom and impose undue restrictions on journalists. The directive warns broadcasters against actions such as expressing personal opinions, intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality, citing an increase in breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

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The move undermined the independence of the media and violated international human rights standards.

Amnesty International, through its Nigeria Executive Director Isa Sanusi, has unequivocally faulted the NBC's action, asserting that it undermines media independence and contravenes international human rights standards. Sanusi emphasized that Nigeria's broadcast media, crucial for enabling citizens to freely seek, receive, and impart information, is protected by instruments like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Amnesty International further labeled the directive as authoritarian and unconstitutional, questioning the NBC's authority to dictate journalistic practices and urging broadcasters to continue their work independently and without fear.

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Nigeria’s vibrant broadcast media, whose editorial independence enables citizens to freely seek, receive, and impart information, is protected under instruments like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

SERAP has echoed these sentiments, calling on President Bola Tinubu to immediately withdraw the directive. The organization described the notice as unlawful and a dangerous attempt at prior censorship, urging the government to refrain from imposing such restrictions and to allow journalists to freely carry out their constitutional responsibilities. SERAP argues that the provisions within the directive are vague and unconstitutional, infringing upon the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.

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The latest threat issued by NBC is authoritarian and unconstitutional. Broadcasters must continue doing their job fiercely and independently without fear.

From a Nigerian perspective, the NBC's directive raises serious concerns about the government's commitment to freedom of expression and the role of an independent media in a democracy. While the NBC cites breaches of its code, critics argue that such broad directives can be easily weaponized to silence dissent and control narratives. The strong condemnation from international and local rights groups highlights the global importance placed on media freedom and the potential for such actions to erode democratic principles. The Nigerian media, often a crucial check on power, must be allowed to operate without fear of reprisal or undue censorship.

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The NBC’s notice represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression.