The Socio-{Economic} Rights and Accountability Venture (SERAP) has referred to as on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to right away direct the withdrawal of a controversial directive issued by the Nationwide Broadcasting Fee (NBC), describing it as illegal and a threat to press freedom.
In a letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the President to instruct the Minister of Data, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and the NBC to reverse what it described as an try to impose prior censorship on broadcasters and journalists.
The group criticised the NBC’s “Formal Discover” issued on April 17, which warned broadcast stations in opposition to alleged breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, together with the expression of “private opinions,” perceived intimidation of visitors, and failure to keep up neutrality.
SERAP argued that the directive depends on obscure and overly broad provisions that could possibly be used arbitrarily to sanction journalists, thereby undermining constitutional ensures of freedom of expression.
“The NBC’s discover represents a harmful try to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress authentic journalistic expression,” the organisation mentioned.
Based on SERAP, the provisions cited by the NBC—significantly these limiting presenters from expressing private opinions—quantity to unconstitutional prior restraint and violate Part 39 of the 1999 Structure, in addition to worldwide human rights requirements.
The group careworn that journalism inherently entails evaluation, commentary, and worth judgments, all of that are protected types of expression beneath each Nigerian and worldwide legislation.
It additional warned that the directive may create a chilling impact on media apply, discouraging vital reporting and weakening the media’s position as a public watchdog—particularly forward of the 2027 common elections.
SERAP additionally raised considerations in regards to the lack of readability in phrases reminiscent of “professionalism,” “bullying,” and “intimidation,” noting that their undefined scope opens the door to arbitrary enforcement and suppression of authentic journalistic work.
Whereas acknowledging that stopping misinformation and guaranteeing equity in broadcasting are authentic regulatory objectives, the organisation insisted that such targets have to be pursued by means of lawful, exact, and proportionate measures.
The group gave the federal authorities 48 hours to behave on its suggestions or face authorized motion to compel compliance within the public curiosity.
Times Nigeria