Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a warning to media houses and presenters about violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The NBC stated it will enforce strict compliance with provisions covering fairness, balance, accuracy, hate speech, incitement, and respect for constitutional bodies. In a statement shared on social media on Friday, the commission noted that broadcast platforms are increasingly being used in ways that undermine their duty to inform the public professionally. It specifically cautioned against presenters expressing personal opinions as facts, intimidating guests, or denying opposing views the right to fair hearing. The NBC emphasized that editorial judgment must be maintained at all times, especially during live programming. Broadcasts containing hate speech, personal attacks, or content that incites political disorder will not be tolerated. The commission reiterated that all news, current affairs, and political programmes must adhere to the principles of fairness and accuracy. Any breach, including airing inflammatory or unsubstantiated reports, will result in regulatory sanctions.
The NBC demands neutrality from broadcasters while operating under a government that appoints its leadership, creating a conflict between regulatory independence and political oversight. When presenters are barred from expressing opinion, yet the commission answers to an executive with clear political interests, the definition of bias becomes selectively enforced. Nigerian journalists face penalties for imbalance in a media landscape where the regulator's own impartiality cannot be structurally guaranteed. This undermines the credibility of the NBC's warning ahead of the 2027 elections.
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