The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other participants in Nigeria against the use of their platforms to spread misinformation, hate speech, inflammatory material and other content capable of undermining peaceful elections.
The warning came as political parties and their candidates running for political offices begin their campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NBC’s warning was contained in a release issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Technical Adviser to the NBC Director-General, Moses Jolayemi.
The Commission cautioned radio and television broadcasters, in particular, to recognise that their platforms have “enormous influence on public opinion and the choices citizens make during elections.”
The NBC called on these media outlets to uphold accuracy, fairness, professionalism and responsibility.
The commission called for a fair and balanced coverage of all political campaigns by licensed broadcasters through appropriate editorial verification to avoid any forms of promotion or suppression of a political party, candidate or political viewpoint.
It also cautioned against “unverified presentation of political claims, allegations, statistics or assertions as facts.”
The NBC further advised presenters, anchors, reporters, producers and hosts to hold objective views, and avoid harassment of guests, suppression of opposing viewpoints or manipulation in favour of particular political interests.
“The responsibility for what goes on air remains with the broadcaster, including material introduced by guests, callers and panellists during live or interactive programmes,” the commission stated.
It added that it would pay close attention to the “allocation of political airtime, directing broadcasters to maintain accurate records showing the dates, programmes and duration of political airtime allocated to parties and candidates.”
The commission further stated that broadcasters must clearly distinguish “political advertising” from news, editorial content, analysis and independent programming.
It said that it’s “subject to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and must meet the requirements of truth, decency, good taste and morality.”
The NBC advised that the political season must not be used as an avenue to incite hate or violence, as it cautioned against the “use of broadcast, digital and social platforms to spread inflammatory and divisive political content.”
The broadcasting regulating agency also warned broadcasters against making speculations on results gotten from polling units and unofficial sources.
“Election results and declarations of winners, it stressed, should only be broadcast as announced by the duly authorised electoral officer.
“The commission also reminded broadcasters of the statutory campaign silence period, directing that partisan political broadcasts, campaigns, jingles and announcements must cease not later than 24 hours before polling day.
“The NBC said its monitoring of political broadcasts would be intensified throughout the electioneering period.
“The monitoring will cover not only paid political advertisements but also news bulletins, current affairs programmes, political debates, phone-in programmes, interviews, commentaries, sponsored programmes, live broadcasts and other programming through which political content is disseminated.”
The commission insisted that particular attention would be paid to patterns of airtime allocation, fairness and balance, inflammatory content, misinformation, hate speech, incitement, presenter conduct, political advertising and compliance with the campaign silence period, the release stated, among others.
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