The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct Information Minister, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to immediately withdraw its recent “Formal Notice,” describing it as unlawful and a threat to press freedom..
In a letter dated April 18, 2026, signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said the NBC notice “represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression.”
The NBC had, on April 17, warned broadcasters over alleged breaches of the NBC code and threatened sanctions for “Class B breaches,” including expressing “personal opinions,” intimidation of guests, and failure to “maintain neutrality.”
SERAP argued that such restrictions violate Section 39 of the Nigerian constitution and international human rights laws, adding that “journalistic opinion is protected expression” and that “value judgments are not susceptible of proof and enjoy heightened protection.”
The group also faulted Section 1.10.3 of the code, which prohibits presenters from expressing opinions, saying it “amounts to prior restraint” and fails the tests of legality, necessity, and proportionality in a democratic society.
It warned that vague provisions on “professionalism,” “bullying,” and “fair hearing” could enable arbitrary enforcement and create a “chilling effect” on journalists, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP gave the government 48 hours to act, warning: “If we have not heard… SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel compliance in the public interest.”
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