2027: NBC warns broadcasters, online publishers, others against disinformation

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a warning to broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers, and other participants in Nigeria's information ecosystem against disseminating misinformation, hate speech, and inflammatory content that could undermine peaceful elections, particularly as political parties and candidates gear up for the 2027 general elections.

The warning was issued by the NBC Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, who emphasized that broadcasters have a significant influence on public opinion and citizens' choices during elections. He urged them to uphold accuracy, fairness, professionalism, and responsibility in their reporting.

The NBC has advised broadcasters to maintain objectivity, avoid harassment of guests, and refrain from suppressing opposing viewpoints or favoring particular political interests. They must clearly distinguish political advertising from news, editorial content, analysis, and independent programming, ensuring that political advertising adheres to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and meets standards of truth, decency, good taste, and morality.

The commission cautioned against using broadcast, digital, and social platforms to incite hate or violence and warned against spreading inflammatory and divisive political content. It also reminded broadcasters of the statutory campaign silence period, which mandates the cessation of partisan political broadcasts, campaigns, jingles, and announcements not later than 24 hours before polling day.

The NBC will intensify its monitoring of political broadcasts throughout the electioneering period, focusing on aspects such as airtime allocation, fairness, balance, inflammatory content, misinformation, hate speech, presenter conduct, political advertising, and compliance with the campaign silence period.