Amnesty, SERAP Demand NBC Withdraw Press Freedom Directive

Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have criticized a recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), describing it as an attempt to stifle press freedom and impose unlawful restrictions on journalists. The directive, released on April 17, 2026, warns broadcasters against actions that express personal opinions and allegedly intimidates guests, failing to maintain neutrality.

Isa Sanusi, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated that the NBC's notice undermines independent media and violates international human rights standards. He urged Nigerian authorities to halt what he described as an unrelenting quest to silence journalists, emphasizing the importance of independent and diverse media for safeguarding the public's right to information.

SERAP also called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the directive, labeling it an unlawful threat to press freedom. They warned that failure to act could lead to legal action, stressing that the directive represents a danger of prior censorship and could chill journalistic expression ahead of the 2027 general elections.