SERAP, NGE Sue NBC, Seek Injunction Against ‘Threat’ to Sanction Broadcasters

Ibadan, Nigeria,April 27, 2026

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), challenging what they describe as an “arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unlawful” directive threatening sanctions against broadcasters.

The legal action comes in response to a recent notice issued by the NBC, cautioning broadcast stations and presenters against practices such as “expressing personal opinions as facts,” “bullying or intimidating guests,” and failing to maintain neutrality in their programming.
According to the NBC, the directive was necessitated by what it termed a “sustained increase in breaches” of the sixth edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The commission warned that stations found violating the provisions risk facing regulatory sanctions.
However, SERAP and the NGE argue that the directive constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of expression and media independence. They contend that the NBC’s position could stifle press freedom and discourage open discourse in the media space.

In the suit, the organisations are seeking a court injunction to restrain the NBC from enforcing the directive, pending the determination of the case. They also want the court to declare the notice unlawful and inconsistent with constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of expression.

The plaintiffs maintain that regulatory oversight should not be used as a tool to suppress dissenting views or limit journalistic practice, stressing the need for a balance between professional standards and fundamental rights.

The case is expected to test the boundaries between media regulation and press freedom in Nigeria, as stakeholders continue to debate the role of the NBC in shaping broadcast content.