Overview
- The National Broadcasting Commission, which issued its notice on Friday, barred presenters from airing personal opinions, intimidating guests, or denying opposing views a hearing, and warned of sanctions before the 2027 elections.
- SERAP called the order unlawful and, in an April 18 letter to President Bola Tinubu, gave 48 hours to withdraw it or face legal action.
- Amnesty International and former vice president Atiku Abubakar said the move seeks to muzzle the media and could push journalists into self-censorship.
- Civic groups CITAD and CISLAC argued the directive was unilateral and vague, urged open consultation, and warned broad terms invite selective enforcement.
- Reuters reported the regulator framed the step as curbing misinformation and inflammatory content, while analysts noted uneven past enforcement and a likely shift of heated debate to online spaces beyond NBC oversight.