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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to withdraw a recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
In a notice issued on April 17, 2026, the NBC threatened to impose sanctions on broadcast stations and presenters on grounds that SERAP termed vague and unjustified, including the expression of personal opinions, alleged ‘bullying or intimidation’ of guests, and failure to maintain neutrality.
The NBC alleged a rise in breaches of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in news, current affairs, and political programming, and threatened to enforce strict compliance and impose sanctions for Class B breaches.
SERAP, in a letter dated April 18, 2026, signed by its director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the NBC’s directive as “a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression.”
“The blanket prohibition imposed by Section 1.10.3 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits presenters from expressing opinions. This amounts to prior restraint that impermissibly excludes commentary, analysis, and value judgments—the core of journalism and democratic discourse,” SERAP noted.
“Section 1.10.3 amounts to a form of prior censorship or restraint. Such a blanket restriction fails the legal tests of legality, necessity and proportionality required in a democratic society.”
According to SERAP, the prohibition on the expression of personal opinions by anchors and presenters amounts to a restriction on the right to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, enshrined in Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The rights group also threatened to pursue the matter in court if its letter is not addressed within 48 hours of its receipt.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from your government and the NBC by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel compliance with our request in the public interest,” it added.
