Court Halts NBC's Power to Fine and Sanction Media Outlets

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), preventing it from imposing fines or threatening sanctions on independent media houses in Nigeria.

This ruling came after a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

The organizations challenged the NBC's authority following its 2022 imposition of fines on media outlets for airing documentaries on terrorism.

The court found that the NBC lacked the legal authority to unilaterally penalize media organizations. In its judgment, the court declared that the NBC cannot "unlawfully shut down, impose fines, or suspend licenses" of independent media entities.

This decision nullifies the previously imposed fines and emphasizes the importance of protecting journalistic independence in Nigeria.