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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has launched a blistering attack on the National Broadcasting Commission over what it describes as a dangerous and calculated attempt to silence the media under the guise of regulation.

In a strongly worded press release issued on April 17, 2026, the union condemned the NBC’s recent “formal notice” to broadcasters, accusing the regulatory body of orchestrating a creeping culture of censorship capable of suffocating Nigeria’s already fragile democratic space.

The NUJ did not mince words, branding the directive, which threatens stations with “strict and uncompromised compliance” over loosely defined breaches of professionalism—as a “veiled attempt to gag the media.”

Editorial Independence Under Siege

At the heart of the outrage is the NBC’s warning against broadcasters expressing “personal opinions” and its insistence on a so-called “crisis-free” presentation style. The NUJ argues that such provisions strike directly at the soul of journalism.

According to the union, stripping anchors of the ability to interrogate, analyze, and contextualize issues reduces the media to nothing more than a government echo chamber.

“Journalism thrives on robust engagement, not sanitized silence,” the statement implied, warning that the directive risks turning professional broadcasters into passive announcers.

‘Weaponized’ Regulations and Climate of Fear

The union further decried the classification of the alleged infractions as “Class B” offences—punishable by heavy fines or outright suspension—describing it as a deliberate strategy to intimidate and silence critical voices.

By deploying vague and elastic standards, the NUJ warned, the NBC is fostering a chilling effect across newsrooms nationwide, where journalists may now think twice before asking hard questions or holding power to account.

The union went a step further, alleging that the commission is increasingly being perceived as a political instrument rather than an impartial regulator.

Constitutional Rights at Stake

Invoking Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, the NUJ reminded the NBC that freedom of expression, including the right to hold and disseminate opinions, is a fundamental right that cannot be overridden by regulatory codes.

“The law is clear. No agency has the authority to trample on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms under the pretext of enforcement,” the union insisted.

NUJ Draws the Line

Declaring its full solidarity with journalists and media organizations across the country, the NUJ vowed to resist any attempt to shrink civic space or bully the press into submission.

The union demanded immediate dialogue between the NBC and media stakeholders, an end to what it described as regulatory harassment, and a halt to the politicization of oversight institutions.

In a rallying call to practitioners, the NUJ urged journalists to remain fearless and committed to truth, emphasizing that their allegiance lies with the public, not with regulatory intimidation.

“The media is the watchdog of society, not its lapdog,” the statement declared, warning that any effort to “break the screen or silence the microphone” amounts to a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy.

The statement was signed by the NUJ National Secretary, Achike Chude.