SAT APRIL 18 2026-theGBJournal| The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sounded a firm warning to broadcasters, citing a surge in violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and pledging strict enforcement to curb bias, misinformation, and inflammatory content across the airwaves.
The NBC in a statement today, says it has observed a sustained rise in breaches of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly across news, current affairs, and political programming.
According to the Commission, broadcast platforms are increasingly straying from their core mandate of delivering accurate, balanced, and professional information to the public.
Central to the concern is what the NBC describes as a growing crisis in anchor and presenter professionalism.
It notes a troubling pattern of presenters injecting personal opinions into programmes, failing to provide equitable representation of opposing views, and allowing the broadcast of hate speech or divisive commentary—clear violations of established ethical standards.
The Commission also flagged the misuse of broadcast platforms by political actors, who it says are exploiting airtime to promote content capable of inciting unrest, undermining national unity, or disrespecting human dignity.
It warned that such practices breach multiple provisions of the Code, particularly those prohibiting incitement, hate speech, and subversive content.
Going forward, the NBC has declared that any presenter who expresses personal opinions as fact, intimidates guests, or denies fair hearing will be deemed to have committed a Class B breach.
Broadcasters, it stressed, bear full editorial responsibility at all times—including during live programmes—and cannot shift accountability to guests.
The Commission has therefore placed all broadcast organisations on notice: compliance with the Code is mandatory. It insists that fairness, accuracy, balance, and the right of reply must guide all content, warning that inflammatory or unverified material will attract sanctions.
With the election cycle approaching, the NBC emphasised that the airwaves must not become channels for tension or misinformation, but remain platforms for credible information, responsible discourse, and national cohesion.
Meanwhile, as Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, a critical question is emerging: is the push for stricter broadcast compliance a necessary safeguard against misinformation—or the start of a subtle media gag?
The National Broadcasting Commission’s renewed warning to broadcasters, anchors, and presenters signals a hard line on balance, neutrality, and professionalism.
But in an already tense political climate, the directive raises concerns about how far regulation can go without stifling free expression.
For media organisations and on-air talent, the stakes are rising—walk the tightrope of compliance or risk sanctions that could reshape how political discourse is aired across the country.
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