The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has cautioned broadcasters against bullying of guests, misuse of platforms and other code breaches ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement, the commission expressed concerns over increase in breaches of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code across news, current affairs and political programmes.

Lamenting how some broadcast platforms have derailed from their core obligation of creating awareness with accuracy and professionalism, the NBC said it would adopt a firm stance on enforcement.

“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 Commission expressed concern over what it described as a growing crisis in presenter and anchor professionalism, citing violations of broadcast ethics.

Quoting the Code, the NBC referenced Section 1.10.3 which states that “the broadcaster shall ensure that its presenter does not express his or her opinion in the programme, as a matter of professional standard.”

It also cited Section 3.3.1(b), which provides that “all sides to any issue of public interest are equitably presented for fairness and balance,” and Section 3.4.1(b), which requires that “all sides to an issue are equitably presented, preferably in the same broadcast.”

It also referenced Section 5.3.3(b), which states: “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 raised concerns over how guests are handled on broadcast programmes, cautioning against intimidation and lack of neutrality.

On the misuse of platforms by political actors, the Commission said it has recorded a rising trend of violations across party lines.

Part of the statement read, “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.

“Section 3.11.1(a)- ‘language or scene likely to encourage or incite to crime, or lead to disorder is not broadcast.

“Section 5.4.1(f)- ‘the broadcaster shall not transmit divisive materials or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.

“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.

“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 warned that henceforth, 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 be held accountable. (Daily Trust)