Amnesty International accuses NBC of attempting to gag journalists with Formal Notice

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Amnesty International has strongly condemned what it described as the latest “outrageous and desperate attempt” by Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to gag journalists and the media, following the issuance of a controversial formal notice to broadcasters dated 17 April 2026.

The rights organisation said the commission has no authority to dictate how journalists should carry out their work.

“The notice, which targets political broadcasts and anchors of current affairs programmes, imposes unduly restrictive and invasive controls on the media. The bizarre directive is an attempt to pressure journalists and media organisations into self-censorship,” Amnesty stated.

It emphasised that Nigeria’s vibrant broadcast media, with its independent editorial content, enables citizens to freely seek, debate, and share information, as guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Amnesty called on Nigerian authorities to stop using the NBC in what it described as an “unrelenting quest” to silence journalists and media organisations vital to maintaining an independent and diverse media space.

“The latest threat issued by NBC is authoritarian and unconstitutional. Broadcasters must continue doing their job fiercely and independently, without fear,” the statement concluded.