National

Court to NBC: Don’t punish broadcasters for opinions

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos has stopped the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from “using its recently issued ‘Formal Notice’ to threaten, sanction or punish broadcast stations and presenters for expressing personal opinions as facts, b#llying or intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality.”
 

The judge granted an order of interim injunction following arguments on an ex parte motion filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
 

MESSAGE us @ https://Wa.me/+2348072633727 / 08072633727 for business & brand promotion/relationship/partnership, Advert, PR, Publicity, Awareness, Interviews, Feature Stories, Press Release/Statement and any job related to Media…

The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by SERAP and NGE challenging what they described as “an arbitrary and unlawful attempt by the NBC to sanction broadcasters for allegedly expressing personal opinions as facts” , “bullying or intimidating guests,” or failing to maintain “neutrality.”

 In April, the NBC in a statement released said it had observed a rise in violations of the sixth edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code across news, current affairs and political programmes. It warned that presenters who express personal opinions as facts or bully guests on air will face sanctions.
 
 

SERAP and NGE had, in the lawsuit, asked the court “to determine whether the various provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code relied upon by the NBC to threaten broadcasters are inconsistent with the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
 

In his ruling, Justice Osiagor ordered that the NBC, its officers, agents, or any affiliated persons be restrained from imposing sanctions, fines, or other penalties on broadcasting stations based on several contested provisions of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
 

Voice Air Media NEWS CHANNEL @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/a0029VaOyfbTF6smu2UTRUn1w

The case has been adjourned to June 1, 2026 for the hearing of the motion on Notice.

Tijani Mariam

Recent Posts

‘I am from a poor background’ – Lawmaker Cries Out, Seeks Endorsement For 5th Term Bid

THE lawmaker representing Magumeri Constituency in the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Audu Mustapha…

18 minutes ago

Police arrest father over daughter’s defilement, viral virus

Anambra police arrest father who def!led his daughter and infected her with a viral disease…

28 minutes ago

Govt bans honorary degree holders from ‘Dr’ title

The Federal Government has banned the use of the prefix ‘Dr’ by honorary degree holders…

52 minutes ago

Nigerian, stabbed dead in Madrid; suspect held

A 20-year-old Nigerian man was stabbed to death by a Moroccan in a public park…

1 hour ago

Ekiti Governor’s Aide, Princess Agboola to Keynote 2026 AISEN Teachers Conference

The Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN) has announced Princess Adetoun Funmilayo Agboola,…

2 hours ago

Man jailed for stabbing neighbour

An Abuja High Court on Wednesday ordered that a 32-year-old man, Israel Friday, should be…

3 hours ago