Allow journalists do their job – Amnesty International tells NBC
Amnesty International Criticizes NBC Directive on Media Freedom
Amnesty International has condemned a recent directive from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as an unlawful effort to silence journalists and curtail media freedom in Nigeria. The directive, titled “Formal Notice to Broadcasters,” was issued on April 17, 2026, and specifically targets political programming, including current affairs shows.
In a statement, Amnesty International asserted that the directive imposes “unduly restrictive and invasive controls” on media operations. The organization contended that the NBC lacks the authority to dictate how journalists perform their duties and warned that the notice may lead media houses to engage in self-censorship.
Amnesty labeled the NBC’s action as an attempt to exert pressure on journalists and media organizations, emphasizing the vital role of Nigeria’s broadcast media in facilitating the free exchange of information and ideas among citizens.
The organization referenced international legal standards, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which uphold the principles of freedom of expression and access to information.
Moreover, Amnesty International accused Nigerian authorities of utilizing the NBC to suppress independent journalism and called for an immediate cessation of efforts to silence media voices in the country.
In its statement, the organization described the directive as “authoritarian and unconstitutional,” urging broadcasters to remain steadfast in their commitment to independent reporting. “Journalists must continue doing their job fiercely and independently, without fear,” it stated.
As of this report, the NBC has not publicly addressed Amnesty International’s criticisms.
