The Lagos chapter of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) has raised alarm over what it describes as a surge in attacks and interference targeting media practitioners across the country, warning that such actions threaten democratic principles and undermine press freedom.

SNB chairman Ayo Makinde said the trend poses “a dangerous threat to constitutional freedoms, national development, public trust, citizen participation in governance, and national development.”

“These are not isolated incidents,” Makinde said in a statement. “They are symptoms of a systemic challenge to the role of the broadcast media as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. The media’s duty to hold government accountable and ensure the free flow of information is now under threat.”

Makinde accused authorities of using direct intervention and legal provisions, including the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, sections of the Cybercrimes Act, parts of the Terrorism Prevention Act, and colonial-era criminal laws, to intimidate broadcasters. He also cited the Public Order Act, noting it has been used indirectly to limit coverage of public protests.

While legitimate in intent, these laws have been applied in ways that intimidate rather than protect, Makinde argued, warning that the result has been self-censorship by media houses fearing licence revocation or heavy fines. Smaller stations, particularly in rural areas, are especially vulnerable, he said.

Makinde pointed to recent incidents, including Niger State governor Umar Bago’s threat in August to shut down Badeggi FM 90.1 and demolish its premises, despite the National Broadcasting Commission being the only body authorised to revoke licences.

He also noted the suspension of the acting general manager of Legacy FM in Ebonyi State over on-air criticism of Governor Francis Nwifuru, and scrutiny faced by Channels Television in April 2024 after broadcasting an interview.

“We have seen this before,” Makinde said, recalling the demolition of RayPower FM and AIT masts in Rivers State in 2023, the NBC’s suspension of AIT and RayPower in 2019, and multi-million-naira fines against stations including Trust TV in 2022.

Makinde urged broadcasters to adhere to professional ethics, strengthen legal literacy, adopt multiplatform broadcasting, and engage audiences to build solidarity. He stressed that while journalists are not infallible, professional bodies such as the SNB, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have mechanisms to address misconduct.

“The sustainable path for any government is good governance and genuine open communication, not silencing critical voices,” he said.