The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) strongly condemns the recent directive issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) targeting broadcasters across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by CITAD’s Executive Director, Y Z Ya’u, the directive represents a dangerous escalation in the ongoing erosion of press freedom and civic space in the country.
While framed as a regulatory intervention, the directive raises serious concerns about the broader implications for freedom of expression, digital rights, and democratic accountability.
At a time when Nigeria is navigating complex socio-political challenges, the media remains one of the few platforms through which citizens can interrogate power, demand accountability, and participate meaningfully in governance.
CITAD is particularly concerned that the directive introduces vague and subjective standards that could be weaponized to silence critical voices.
By attempting to restrict how broadcasters engage with guests, express analysis, or frame public discourse, the government risks creating an environment of fear and self-censorship within the media ecosystem.
NBC’s list of concerns is not accompanied by a rigorous presentation of what they meant.
They are left at the level of mere concepts that leave no room for a shared understanding.
These concepts must be collectively defined through a multi-stakeholder mechanism and not in the board room of the regulatory agency.
This unilateral Notice is dangerous to democracy and to freedom of the press as well as freedom of expression.
And it must be condemned because it opens up the space for the arbitrary application of these concepts
Moreover, the unilateral issuance of this notice is at variance with democratic principles and norms.
Such an important and serious notice has to be the product or outcome of consultative processes involving relevant stakeholders.
It is through such a process that a clearer and shared understanding of what offences can be arrived at, how these concepts of offences can be operationalized, while allowing for a transparent process to set out the scope, redlines, and guardrails of such a Notice.
This has not been done, and NBC is just throwing a notice that everyone is expected to comply with when there is no clear and shared understanding of what these offenses are.
Beyond traditional broadcasting, this move signals a troubling pattern of increasing control over information flows in Nigeria.
In an era where digital platforms amplify citizen voices and democratize access to information, any attempt to stifle media freedom inevitably affects the broader digital civic space.
This undermines not only journalists but also activists, young people, and marginalized communities who rely on these platforms to be heard.
We note that democratic societies thrive on plurality of opinions, robust debate, and the free exchange of ideas.
Efforts to impose artificial neutrality or suppress critical engagement weaken public discourse and ultimately erode trust in institutions.
CITAD calls on the Federal Government to immediately withdraw this directive and engage in open, multi-stakeholder dialogue with media practitioners, civil society, and digital rights organizations to address concerns around professionalism without undermining fundamental freedoms.
NBC cannot sit in its boardroom and unilaterally decide on what should be allowed on the airwaves. It regulates the sector on behalf of Nigerians, and therefore, it has a duty to consult who will decide on how they want their broadcast sector to be regulated.
Furthermore, we urge regulatory bodies to align their actions with Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights commitments, particularly in safeguarding freedom of expression both online and offline.
As Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle, protecting media independence is not optional, it is essential. Any attempt to curtail press freedom at this critical moment risks compromising the integrity of the democratic process.
CITAD remains committed to defending digital rights, promoting open civic space, and supporting a free and independent media as a cornerstone of democracy in Nigeria.
