IPC Raises Alarm Over NBC Directive Restricting Broadcasters’ On-Air Opinions
Oru Leonard
Lagos, Nigeria: April 28, 2026 — The International Press Centre (IPC) has expressed concern over a recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), warning that it could limit press freedom and weaken democratic accountability in Nigeria.
In a statement released Tuesday, IPC said the NBC’s April 17 notice to broadcasters—citing alleged breaches of the NBC Code in news, current affairs, and political programming—raises critical issues about media independence. The directive, which emphasizes professionalism among anchors and presenters while cautioning against the misuse of broadcast platforms by political actors, also places stations on formal notice of stricter enforcement and potential sanctions.
IPC warned that the move may signal a renewed attempt to constrain the constitutional role of the media, particularly in fostering public participation and accountability during electoral processes.
At the heart of IPC’s concerns is Section 1.10.3 of the NBC Code, which prohibits broadcasters from expressing personal opinions on air. While acknowledging that the provision aims to ensure neutrality, IPC argued that it risks limiting critical journalistic functions such as analysis, interpretation, and contextual reporting.
The organisation also pointed to several other provisions—including Sections 3.3.1(b), 3.4.1(a), and 5.3.3(b)—as being broadly worded and open to restrictive interpretation. According to IPC, overly broad enforcement could stifle legitimate criticism, discourage investigative journalism, and promote self-censorship across the media landscape.
Freedom of Expression at Stake
IPC stressed that freedom of expression remains a fundamental human right enshrined in Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and reinforced by international frameworks such as Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
It cautioned that excessive regulatory discretion by the NBC could undermine editorial independence, silence dissenting voices, and distort the information ecosystem.
Call for Balanced Regulation
While reaffirming support for professional standards and efforts to curb hate speech and misinformation, IPC noted that some provisions of the NBC Code may conflict with globally accepted press freedom norms. It warned that penalising journalists for clearly identified opinions could infringe on their rights as both individuals and professionals.
Quoting its Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, IPC stated: “Journalists play a critical role in informing citizens, scrutinising power, and enabling the public to make informed democratic choices. Restrictions on opinion and analysis in political broadcasting may weaken this role and diminish the quality of public discourse.”
IPC highlighted that Nigeria’s current socio-political challenges—including insecurity, poverty, and electoral tensions—require a robust and independent media capable of delivering accurate, fact-based reporting. It warned that limiting analytical journalism could worsen information disorder and heighten risks to journalists’ safety.
The organisation urged the NBC to:
Review and amend vague and overly broad provisions of the Code
Ensure enforcement does not suppress legitimate journalistic expression
Protect editorial independence and analytical reporting
Strengthen safeguards for journalists, especially during elections
Uphold protections for media professionals’ rights and safety.
IPC also called on government institutions, regulators, and electoral stakeholders to avoid policies that could criminalise journalism or erode the democratic role of the media.
The statement was signed by Olutoyin Ayoade, Communications Officer of IPC.
