Threat to Broadcasters: SERAP, NGE Secure Court's Restraining Order Against NBC - Blueprint Newspapers Limited
Justice Daniel Osiagor barred the NBC from imposing fines or sanctions while a lawsuit by SERAP and editors challenges contested code provisions.
- On Monday, Justice Daniel Osiagor granted an interim injunction in Lagos, restraining the National Broadcasting Commission from enforcing sanctions under contested sections of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
- The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors filed the lawsuit challenging the NBC's April "Formal Notice," which threatened penalties for broadcasters accused of intimidating guests or failing to maintain neutrality.
- Contending the provisions are "vague and overly broad," the plaintiffs cited the Nigerian Constitution 1999, asserting that "the right to impart ideas necessarily includes opinions, commentary and analysis," central to democratic discourse.
- Amnesty International Nigeria welcomed the decision as "an important step" for press freedom. Lawyer Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika described the NBC's threatened sanctions as "arbitrary and unlawful attempt by the NBC to sanction broadcasters for allegedly expressing personal opinions as facts."
- Pending the hearing of the motion on notice, the court adjourned the case until June 1, 2026. This interim order halts enforcement of the disputed code sections while the substantive legal challenge proceeds.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Court restrains NBC from threatening broadcasters
The Federal High Court in Lagos has stopped the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from threatening, sanctioning, or punishing broadcast stations and presenters for expressing personal opinions as facts, bullying or intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality. Hon. Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the interim injunction on Monday following an ex parte motion filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and t…
Court restrains NBC from sanctioning broadcasters over code provisions, Amnesty International hails ruling
The court restrained the NBC, its officers and agents from enforcing or imposing sanctions on broadcast stations based on specific sections of the 6th edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
NBC Broadcasting Sanctions: Why Nigerians Should Pay Attention to Legal Battle
The recent court order restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from sanctioning broadcasters for expressing personal opinions is more than a legal development, especially as Nigeria inches towards the 2027 elections. Development Diaries reports that Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted the interim injunction, following an ex parte application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Projec…
‘Gag Order’: Court Stops NBC From Punishing Broadcasters For Expressing Opinions
The Federal High Court in Lagos has in a ruling 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, bullying or intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality. Justice Daniel Osiagor on Monday granted an order of interim injunction following arguments on an ex parte motion filed by the…
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