By The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have filed a suit challenging what they describe as an unlawful attempt of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission to stifle the voice of the media.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, comes days after AfrikTimes reported that the Commission warned broadcast stations and presenters against actions such as expressing personal opinions as facts, intimidating guests, or denying opposing views fair hearing.
The directive had already drawn widespread criticism from civil society organisations and media stakeholders, who argued that it could shrink press freedom.
In response, SERAP argued that the notice is an attempt to gag Nigeria media and as such, will pursue a court action if the federal government and NBC failed to respond to its recommendations.
In the fresh development, SERAP and NGE have now initiated the court action, asking the court to determine whether the provisions of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code relied upon by the NBC are consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
The groups contend that the sections cited by the Commission are vague, overly broad, and open to abuse.
They are seeking a declaration that the provisions used to threaten sanctions undermine constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and media independence. They also want the court to restrain the NBC and its agents from enforcing those provisions against broadcast stations and presenters pending the determination of the suit.
SERAP noted that human right lawyer Femi Falana will be representing them in the case.
AfrikTimes had earlier reported that the NBC justified its position by citing what it described as a rise in violations across political and current affairs programming as the 2027 general elections approach.
