Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has criticised a recent directive issued by Nigeria’s broadcast regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), describing it as an attempt to restrict press freedom and silence journalists.
In a statement released on Sunday, the organisation faulted the NBC’s “formal notice to broadcasters” dated April 17, 2026, which introduces fresh guidelines targeting political programming and current affairs anchors across the country.
The directive reportedly warns broadcasters against actions such as expressing personal opinions, allegedly intimidating guests, and failing to maintain neutrality, citing what it described as rising breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Reacting to the development, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Executive Director, Isa Sanusi, said the move represents a serious threat to media independence and violates both national and international human rights obligations.
According to him, Nigeria’s broadcast media plays a vital democratic role in enabling citizens to freely access and share information, a right protected under international frameworks such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
He urged Nigerian authorities to halt what he described as a growing attempt to suppress critical journalism, stressing that independent media remains essential to accountability and democratic governance.
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Amnesty International further described the NBC directive as “authoritarian and unconstitutional,” arguing that the commission does not have the legal authority to control or influence how journalists conduct their professional duties.
The organisation also called on broadcasters across the country to continue their work without fear of intimidation or sanctions.
“The latest threat issued by NBC is authoritarian and unconstitutional. Broadcasters must continue doing their job fiercely and independently without fear,” the statement added, reiterating its call for press freedom protections to be respected.
The development has sparked renewed debate over media regulation in Nigeria, particularly concerning the balance between broadcast standards and freedom of expression.