The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a “stinging condemnation” of what it describes as the “creeping censorship” and “arbitrary use of regulatory powers” by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to silence broadcast stations in Nigeria. In a statement released on Monday, April 20, 2026, the organization maintained that the NBC’s recent “crackdown” and “threats of sanctions” against stations that air “misleading political content” are a “direct assault” on the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the media’s role as the “watchdog of society.” SERAP argued that the commission has become a “political tool” used by the government to “gatekeep information” and “stifle dissent” ahead of the 2027 polls.
The condemnation follows the National Broadcasting Commission’s announcement of a “zero-tolerance” policy for “unprofessional conduct,” which SERAP described as “vaguely defined” and “open to abuse.” Supporting context from the organization’s statement indicates that several radio and television stations have already been “harassed with queries” for airing “critical viewpoints” from the opposition or for hosting “call-in programs” where citizens express dissatisfaction with government policies. SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, noted that the commission’s actions violate the “Nigeria Broadcasting Code” itself, which mandates the promotion of “pluralism” and the “diversity of opinions.” The organization has urged the Federal Government to “withdraw all threats” of license revocation and to “repeal the draconian provisions” of the NBC Act that allow for “unilateral sanctions” without judicial oversight.
Stakeholder reactions to SERAP’s stance have been characterized by a “strong endorsement” from the “Nigeria Union of Journalists” (NUJ) and various “Press Freedom” advocacy groups. The NUJ President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, has warned that “democracy cannot breathe without a free press,” asserting that the NBC should focus on “professional capacity building” rather than “punitive measures.” Conversely, the National Broadcasting Commission has maintained that its actions are aimed at “preventing the incitement of violence” and “protecting the public from disinformation.” The Director-General of the NBC, Mr. Charles Ebuebu, argued that the commission is a “neutral regulator” and that its “crackdown” is based on “verifiable violations” of the broadcasting code rather than “political bias.”
Media and human rights analysts observe that the “NBC-vs-SERAP” conflict is part of a “wider global trend” of increasing state control over digital and traditional media. Experts suggest that the “weaponization of regulatory fines” is a “stealth tactic” to “financially cripple” independent media houses. They argue that the National Broadcasting Commission must adopt a “collaborative approach” by working with “self-regulatory bodies” like the “Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria” (BON) to establish “clear and fair” standards for political reporting. Analyst Barrister Tunde Busari noted that “censorship is the first step toward authoritarianism,” adding that the courts must remain the “final arbiter” in cases of alleged “broadcast misconduct” to ensure “due process.”
The broader implications of this condemnation point toward a “highly litigious” and “tense” relationship between the media and the regulator in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. By bringing international attention to the “censorship” in Nigeria, SERAP is “raising the political cost” for the government to suppress critical voices. The move is expected to inspire “more defiant reporting” from broadcast stations that feel emboldened by the support of civil society. As the “legal battle for the airwaves” intensifies, the focus remains on the “independence of the judiciary” and the “resilience of the media” in the face of “administrative intimidation.” For the Nigerian public, the fight against “censorship” is a “struggle for the right to know” and the “freedom to choose” in a functioning democracy.
