A formal notice issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sparked a national firestorm, with press freedom advocates, opposition leaders and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemning the directive as an authoritarian attempt to silence dissenting voices ahead of the 2027 elections.
The NBC, in the April 17 notice, threatened sanctions for “Class B breaches,” including anchors expressing “personal opinions,” intimidating guests or failing to maintain “neutrality.” The commission cited a rise in ethical breaches in political programming and vowed to enforce strict compliance with the Broadcasting Code regarding fairness, balance and hate speech .
However, the move has been met with fierce resistance across civil society.
Amnesty International described the directive as an “unlawful and repressive attempt to silence journalists,” insisting the commission has “no right to dictate how journalists carry out their professional duties” .
SERAP issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the withdrawal of the notice, calling it a “dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship” that could create a “chilling effect” on journalists .
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) also joined the criticism, raising concerns over the vagueness of the provisions and the potential for selective enforcement .
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar weighed in, stating the directive is a “troubling attempt to muzzle the media.” He accused the government of weaponising ethical standards during election seasons .
Despite the backlash, the NBC has not backed down. The commission maintains that as Nigeria enters a critical electoral period, the airwaves must not be used to propagate misinformation or incite public disorder .
©2026 CDA News Nigeria. All rights reserved.
For news tips, inquiries, or feedback, contact CDA News Nigeria at info@cdanews.ng or visit our headquarters 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
