Amnesty, SERAP seek withdrawal of NBC directive

Human rights organisation, Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project have strongly criticised a recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission, describing it as an attempt to stifle press freedom and impose unlawful restrictions on journalists.

The directive has generated controversy since it was released by the commission on April 17, 2026.

The notice warned broadcasters against actions such as expressing personal opinions, allegedly intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality, citing a rise in breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty International faulted NBC’s “formal notice to broadcasters.”

Its Nigeria’s Executive Director, Isa Sanusi, said the move undermined the independence of the media and violated international human rights standards.

“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,” Sanusi said.

He urged Nigerian authorities to halt what he described as an “unrelenting quest to silence journalists,” stressing that independent and diverse media were essential to safeguarding the public’s right to information.

Amnesty International further described the NBC’s directive as authoritarian and unconstitutional, insisting that the commission lacked the power to dictate how journalists carry out their duties.

The organisation called on broadcasters to continue operating fiercely and independently without fear.

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

“Broadcasters must continue doing their job fiercely and independently without fear,” the statement said.

Also, SERAP urged President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate withdrawal of the directive, describing it as unlawful and a threat to press freedom.

In a letter dated April 18, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on the President to instruct the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, and the NBC to reverse the notice.

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

The group also asked the government to “abstain from imposing prior censorship on broadcast stations and Nigerian journalists, including presenters and to allow them to freely carry out their constitutional responsibilities.”

SERAP described such provisions as vague and unconstitutional, stressing that, “The Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law protect both the absolute right to hold opinions and the qualified right to express ideas of all kinds.”

The organisation further criticised Section 1.10.3 of the Broadcasting Code, noting, “This amounts to prior restraint that impermissibly excludes commentary, analysis, and value judgments, the core of journalism and democratic discourse.”

SERAP maintained that the NBC’s reliance on broad and unclear provisions risked arbitrary enforcement and could stifle critical reporting, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The threat of sanctions for broadly defined conduct creates a chilling effect on journalists and broadcasters, thereby undermining constitutional guarantees,” the group said.

It warned that failure to act could trigger legal action, stating, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours.

“If we have not heard from your government and the NBC by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel compliance.”