NBC Issues Stern Warning to Broadcasters on Guest Treatment and Platform Misuse Ahead of 2027 Polls

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a firm advisory to broadcasters, cautioning them against mistreating guests and misusing broadcasting platforms, with a particular focus on adherence to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.

The commission expressed significant concern over a noticeable rise in violations of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, specifically within news, current affairs, and political programming.

NBC lamented that some broadcast outlets have strayed from their fundamental duty to inform the public accurately and professionally. The commission stated its intention to enforce the code rigorously.

"As we approach the 2027 General Elections, the Commission, hereby, notifies all broadcasters and stakeholders that it will enforce strict and uncompromised compliance with every provision of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly, those relating to fairness, balance, accuracy, hate speech, incitement and respect for constitutional bodies," the NBC declared.

The NBC also voiced worries about a decline in presenter and anchor professionalism, pointing to instances where broadcast ethics have been compromised.

Referencing specific sections of the code, the NBC cited Section 1.10.3, which mandates that "the broadcaster shall ensure that its presenter does not express his or her opinion in the programme, as a matter of professional standard." Additionally, Section 3.3.1(b) requires that "all sides to any issue of public interest are equitably presented for fairness and balance," and Section 3.4.1(b) stipulates that "all sides to an issue are equitably presented, preferably in the same broadcast."

Further, the commission drew attention to Section 5.3.3(b), stating: "The broadcaster shall, in using political materials for news and current affairs programme, avoid hate speech, inflammatory, derogatory and divisive remarks or allusions."

The NBC highlighted issues concerning the treatment of guests on broadcast programs, warning against intimidation and the absence of neutrality.

Regarding the exploitation of platforms by political figures, the Commission noted an increasing pattern of transgressions across various political divides.

The NBC's statement also included excerpts such as, "Section 3.1.1 ‘No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime and lead to public disorder or hate be repugnant to any person or organization alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity.'"

It also quoted "Section 3.11.1(a) – ‘language or scene likely to encourage or incite to crime, or lead to disorder is not broadcast.'"

Furthermore, "Section 5.4.1(f) – ‘the broadcaster shall not transmit divisive materials or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.'"

And, "Section 3.11.1(b) – ‘…no programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of constituted authority or compromises the unity or corporate existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state.'"

Finally, the commission referenced "Section 5.5.1(b) – ‘The broadcaster shall exhibit professionalism in handling the transmission especially sensitive issues as politics, communal conflicts and wars.'"

The NBC issued a clear warning that any anchor or presenter found to have "expressed personal opinion as fact, bullied or intimidated a guest, or denied fair hearing to opposing views" would face accountability.