Amnesty International has criticised a recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), describing it as an attempt to restrict press freedom and silence journalists in Nigeria.
In a statement on Sunday, the organisation faulted the NBC’s “formal notice to broadcasters” dated April 17, 2026, which focused on political programmes and anchors of current affairs shows.
The commission warned broadcasters against expressing personal opinions, allegedly intimidating guests, and failing to maintain neutrality, citing what it described as rising breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Reacting, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the directive undermines media independence and violates international human rights obligations.
“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 called on authorities to halt what he described as ongoing efforts to silence journalists, stressing that independent media remains essential to protecting citizens’ right to information.
Amnesty International further described the NBC directive as authoritarian and unconstitutional, insisting that the commission lacks the authority to control how journalists perform their duties.
The organisation urged broadcasters to continue their work independently and without fear of intimidation.
