The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission, challenging what they describe as an unlawful threat to sanction broadcasters across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos and is marked FHC/L/CS/854/2026. The plaintiffs, represented by senior lawyer Femi Falana, are seeking a court injunction to stop the NBC from enforcing sanctions based on provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The legal action follows a recent directive issued by the NBC warning broadcast stations and presenters against expressing personal opinions as facts, intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality during programmes. The commission said the move was in response to a rise in violations of the broadcasting code.
However, SERAP and the editors argue that the provisions being relied upon are “vague and overly broad” and violate constitutional rights to freedom of expression and media independence. They are asking the court to declare those sections of the code unconstitutional and to restrain the regulator from using them to punish journalists.
In their filings, the groups maintained that journalism naturally includes commentary and analysis, insisting that opinions are a protected form of expression under both Nigerian law and international human rights standards. They warned that the NBC’s directive could create a chilling effect, forcing media practitioners into self-censorship, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They further argued that unless the court intervenes, the NBC would continue to use the code to threaten and sanction broadcasters “solely for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities,” thereby undermining democratic discourse and limiting access to diverse viewpoints.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.
