Nigeria’s media landscape has come under renewed scrutiny following strong criticism by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over a recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The NUJ described the move as a “veiled attempt to gag the media and institutionalise censorship,” raising fresh concerns about press freedom and editorial independence in the country.
The NBC had earlier warned broadcast stations over what it termed increasing violations of the sixth edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (NBC), particularly in news and political programming.
The commission cautioned that on-air personalities who present personal opinions as facts or intimidate guests during discussions risk facing sanctions.
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Reacting in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Achike Chude on Monday, the NUJ expressed “grave concern and utter disappointment,” arguing that the directive could stifle free expression within the media.
According to the union, attempts to regulate how broadcasters analyse and interpret issues amount to “direct interference in the internal editorial processes of independent media organisations.”
“Journalism, particularly in current affairs and political discourse, thrives on robust engagement,” the statement noted.
“To deny presenters the ability to analyse and contextualise issues is to reduce the media to a mere mouthpiece.”
The NUJ further warned that ambiguous provisions in the broadcasting code, including sanctions classified under “Class B breaches,” could foster fear among journalists and discourage critical reporting.
“This atmosphere promotes self-censorship, where journalists may avoid asking hard questions for fear of being labelled unprofessional or hostile by a regulatory authority that appears increasingly politicised,” the statement added.
Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, the union stressed that freedom of expression remains a fundamental right that must not be undermined.
The development has triggered wider debate across the media and civil society, with stakeholders calling for a careful balance between regulation and the preservation of press freedom.
