Rights groups and Nigeria’s journalists union accuse the broadcasting regulator of censorship after warning anchors ahead next year’s elections.
NBC warned of sustained increase in breaches of the broadcasting code ahead of January presidential vote in Nigeria.
It said breaches include expressing personal opinion as fact, bullying guests, denying fair hearing, or compromising broadcast neutrality.
Critics say the warning amounts to intimidation of the press, with NUJ calling it a veiled attempt at censorship.
The union said stripping presenters of analytical voice reduces Nigerian media to a mere mouthpiece for authority.
Amnesty International Nigeria said Sunday the directive is an attempt to pressure journalists and media into self-censorship.
SERAP called on government to withdraw the unlawful notice, warning it threatens sanctions on vague and unjustified grounds.
President Bola Tinubu seeks re-election in January after a first term of economic reforms praised but rising living costs.
Following the 2023 presidential elections, NBC sanctioned 25 stations and warned 16 for violating election coverage codes.