The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what it described as an attempt to stifle press freedom, calling for the immediate withdrawal of a recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
In a letter dated April 18, 2026, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation asked the president to “direct Mr Mohammed Idris Malagi, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately withdraw the unlawful ‘Formal Notice’ issued last week by the NBC, which threatens sanctions against broadcast stations and presenters on vague and unjustified grounds, including the expression of ‘personal opinions,’ alleged ‘bullying or intimidation’ of guests, and failure to ‘maintain neutrality.’”
The notice, issued on April 17, 2026, warned of rising breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in news and political programming, adding that it would “enforce strict compliance and impose sanctions for Class B breaches.”
However, SERAP argued that the directive represents a direct threat to democratic principles and media independence.
“The NBC’s notice represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression,” the organisation stated.
READ ALSO: Atiku Faults NBC Advisory, Warns Against Threat To Media Freedom
It further urged the president to “direct the Minister of Information and the NBC to immediately abstain from imposing prior censorship on broadcast stations and Nigerian journalists including presenters and to allow them to freely carry out their constitutional responsibilities and exercise their fundamental human rights.”
SERAP also called for immediate reforms to the broadcasting framework, asking Tinubu to “direct the NBC to urgently prepare amendments to the unlawful sections of the Broadcasting Code relied upon by the NBC, and to ensure that these provisions comply fully with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
Citing constitutional protections, the organisation maintained that, “The Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law protect both the absolute right to hold opinions and the qualified right to express ideas of all kinds. Journalistic opinion is protected expression.”
It added, “Value judgments are not susceptible of proof and enjoy heightened protection. Journalism necessarily includes analysis and commentary.”
SERAP warned of legal consequences if its demands are ignored, stating, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from your government and the NBC by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel compliance with our request in the public interest.”