Amnesty International has condemned a directive by the National Broadcasting Commission, saying it is an “outrageous and desperate attempt” to gag journalists and restrict press freedom.
In a statement, the group said the April 17, 2026, notice unlawfully targets political and current affairs broadcasts, imposing “unduly restrictive and invasive controls” on media operations.
Amnesty argued the move is designed to force self-censorship among journalists and media organizations, warning it threatens democratic accountability and the public’s right to information.
“The commission has no power or right to tell journalists how to do their job,” the organization said.
Executive Director Isa Sanusi said Nigeria’s broadcast media play a vital role in ensuring free access to information.
“Nigeria’s vibrant broadcast media, whose editorial content is independent, enable people to freely seek, debate, receive and impart information and ideas,” Sanusi said, citing international human rights protections.
He urged authorities to stop what he described as the misuse of the NBC to silence independent journalism.
“The Nigerian authorities must stop using the NBC in an unrelenting quest to silence journalists and media organizations that are crucial to ensuring an independent and diverse media space,” he added.
Amnesty International said the directive is “authoritarian and unconstitutional” and called on broadcasters to continue their work without fear or interference.
