Amnesty International criticizes Nigerian broadcasting commission's new directive on political broadcasts
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Amnesty International has strongly criticized a recent directive from Nigeria's National Broadcasting Commission NBC, calling it an attempt to suppress press freedom and impose unlawful restrictions on journalists. The human rights organization faulted the NBC's "formal notice to broadcasters" issued on April 17, 2026, which targets political broadcasts and current affairs program anchors. The notice warned broadcasters against expressing personal opinions, intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality, citing increased breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Isa Sanusi, Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated that the directive undermines media independence and violates international human rights standards, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Sanusi urged Nigerian authorities to cease efforts to silence journalists, emphasizing the importance of independent media for public information. Amnesty International described the NBC's directive as authoritarian and unconstitutional, asserting that the commission lacks the authority to dictate journalistic practices and encouraged broadcasters to continue their work fiercely and independently.
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