– Calls for accuracy, fairness and balance in coverage of political activities
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and social media content creators against spreading misinformation, hate speech and inflammatory content capable of threatening peace during the 2027 elections.
The warning comes as campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections begin today, August 19, 2026.
In a statement issued by Moses Jolayemi, Technical Adviser to the NBC Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, the Commission urged media organisations to uphold accuracy, fairness and balance in their coverage of political activities.
The NBC cautioned broadcasters against presenting unverified allegations, claims or statistics as facts and urged them to respect the right of reply where individuals or organisations are genuinely misrepresented.
It also warned presenters and political programme hosts against using their platforms to intimidate guests, suppress opposing views or promote personal political opinions as facts.
Of particular concern, the Commission said, is the spread of content capable of inciting violence or deepening ethnic, religious, regional and political divisions.
The NBC also directed broadcasters not to announce or project election winners based on unofficial results, stressing that results should only be broadcast as declared by the authorised electoral officer.
The Commission said monitoring of political broadcasts would be intensified throughout the election period, covering news, debates, interviews, phone-in programmes, advertisements and other political content.
The NBC urged all information disseminators to see the election period not merely as a commercial opportunity, but as a responsibility to protect peace, promote credible information and help Nigerians make informed choices.
