Rights groups and Nigeria’s main journalists’ union have accused the National Broadcasting Commission of attempting to censor the media after it issued a warning to broadcast presenters ahead of next year’s elections.
The regulator had raised concerns over what it described as a rise in violations of the country’s broadcasting code, warning that anchors who express personal opinions as facts, intimidate guests, or fail to provide balanced coverage could face sanctions.
The directive has, however, drawn criticism from media stakeholders. The Nigeria Union of Journalists described the move as a “veiled attempt at censorship,” arguing that restricting presenters from analysing and contextualising issues undermines the role of the press.
Similarly, Amnesty International Nigeria said the warning could pressure journalists and media organisations into self-censorship, raising concerns about press freedom in the lead-up to the elections.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project also called on the government to withdraw the directive, describing it as unlawful and warning that it could lead to unjustified sanctions based on vague provisions.
The development comes as President Bola Tinubu prepares to seek re-election in January, following a first term marked by sweeping economic reforms and rising cost-of-living pressures.
The NBC had previously sanctioned several broadcast stations for breaches during the 2023 election coverage, a move that continues to shape the debate over media regulation and freedom in Nigeria.
