The Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from sanctioning broadcast stations and presenters over the expression of personal opinions, alleged intimidation of guests, or failure to maintain neutrality.
Newsmen understands that Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the interim injunction on Monday following an ex parte application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
The court order prevents the NBC from enforcing several provisions of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code pending the determination of the substantive motion before the court.
Justice Osiagor ruled, “That an order of interim injunction is granted restraining the Defendant, its officers, agents, privies, assigns, associates or any other person or group of persons from enforcing, imposing sanctions, or levying fines on any broadcasting station.”
The judge specifically restrained the NBC from relying on sections of the broadcasting code cited in its recent formal notice to broadcasters.
Reacting to the ruling, SERAP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors described the decision as a victory for press freedom and constitutional rights.
In a joint statement, the organisations said, “This is a significant victory for freedom of expression, media freedom, and the rule of law in Nigeria.”
They added that the ruling reaffirmed the principle that regulatory agencies must exercise their powers within constitutional limits.
SERAP and NGE had approached the court to challenge what they described as arbitrary attempts by the NBC to sanction broadcasters for allegedly expressing opinions as facts, bullying guests, or failing to maintain neutrality.
According to the applicants, the provisions relied upon by the NBC are vague, overly broad and inconsistent with constitutional protections on freedom of expression.
The groups argued that journalistic opinion, commentary and analysis are protected under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law.
Court documents filed by the applicants stated that value judgments and commentary form the core of journalism and democratic discourse.
The suit read in part, “The right to impart ideas necessarily includes opinions, commentary, and analysis. A blanket prohibition on the expression of personal opinions by anchors and presenters amounts to an impermissible restriction of this right.”
The applicants also argued that the NBC’s restrictions could encourage self-censorship and undermine democratic debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP and NGE further argued that the NBC’s reliance on undefined standards of professionalism creates room for arbitrary enforcement.
They maintained that while preventing abuse of broadcast platforms may be legitimate, any restrictions must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.
According to them, broad sanctions against presenters and broadcasters could weaken the media’s role in holding political actors accountable and ensuring transparent elections.
NaijaNews / Tunmise Adesanmi
