Amnesty International Condemns NBC Directive, Calls It an Attempt to Silence Media
Amnesty International has strongly condemned what it described as an outrageous and desperate attempt by the National Broadcasting Commission to intimidate journalists and suppress press freedom through its recent “formal notice to broadcasters” dated April 17, 2026.
According to Amnesty International, the NBC has no authority to dictate how journalists should carry out their professional duties. The organization said the directive, which focuses on political broadcasts and presenters of current affairs and political programmes, imposes excessive and intrusive restrictions on broadcasters and media practitioners.
The rights group further described the notice as a calculated move aimed at forcing journalists and media organizations into self-censorship.
Amnesty International emphasized that Nigeria’s independent and vibrant broadcast media play a vital role in allowing citizens to freely seek, receive, debate, and share information and ideas, in line with international human rights standards, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organization urged Nigerian authorities to stop using the NBC as a tool to silence journalists and undermine media organizations that are essential to maintaining an independent and diverse information space.
It also described the latest NBC action as authoritarian and unconstitutional.
Amnesty International called on broadcasters across the country to remain fearless, professional, and independent in the discharge of their duties.
