Amnesty slams NBC’s ‘unlawful’ 2027 election warning

Amnesty International has criticised the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over what it described as an “unlawful” directive targeting journalists and media organisations ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The rights group condemned a formal notice issued by the NBC on April 17, which warned broadcasters and programme anchors against violating professional broadcasting codes, particularly in political and current affairs content.

In a statement shared on Sunday, Amnesty International described the directive as “outrageous” and an attempt to suppress press freedom, arguing that the commission lacks the authority to dictate how journalists carry out their work.

According to the organisation, the NBC’s notice imposes restrictive and intrusive controls that could pressure media practitioners into self-censorship at a critical political moment.

It emphasised that Nigeria’s broadcast media operate independently and play a key role in enabling citizens to freely access, share, and debate information, rights protected under frameworks such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“The Nigerian authorities must stop using the NBC in an unrelenting quest to silence journalists and media organisations,” the group said, warning that such actions could undermine democratic accountability and the public’s right to information.

Amnesty International further described the directive as authoritarian and unconstitutional, urging broadcasters to continue their work “fiercely and independently” despite the warning.

The development comes as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with concerns growing over the balance between media regulation and press freedom in Nigeria.

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