NGE, SERAP commend court injunction halting NBC’s sanctions on broadcasters

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have applauded a Federal High Court order restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from penalising broadcasters under disputed provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

Justice Daniel Osiagor issued the interim injunction in Lagos on Monday after hearing an ex parte application brought by the two organisations.

The ruling stops the NBC and its agents from acting on its recent directive that sought to sanction stations and presenters over alleged breaches such as presenting opinions as facts, intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality on air.

Welcoming the development in a statement on Wednesday, SERAP and NGE described the decision as a landmark affirmation of constitutional rights and a major boost for press freedom in Nigeria.

The groups in the statement signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP Deputy Director and Onuoha Ukeh, General Secretary, NGE, argued that the provisions relied upon by the NBC are vague, overly broad, and inconsistent with Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, including the right to hold and share opinions without interference.

The suit, argued by senior lawyer Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, seeks a judicial determination on whether the regulatory provisions can stand in light of constitutional protections and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

Justice Osiagor, in granting the order, directed that the NBC must not impose fines, sanctions, or other penalties on broadcasters based on the contested sections of the 6th edition of the Broadcasting Code pending the hearing of the substantive case.

The matter has been adjourned to June 1, 2026.

SERAP and NGE warned that allowing the NBC to enforce the provisions could have a chilling effect on journalism, particularly as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

They maintained that journalism necessarily involves commentary and analysis, stressing that any attempt to prohibit “personal opinions” amounts to censorship and undermines democratic discourse.

The organisations also urged the NBC to respect the court order and review its regulatory framework to ensure compliance with constitutional guarantees and global best practices.

They reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing the case to its conclusion, expressing confidence that the courts will ultimately strike down the impugned provisions and strengthen protections for media independence in Nigeria.