The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other information disseminators against using their platforms to spread misinformation, hate speech, inflammatory content and other material capable of undermining peaceful elections.
Gatekeepers News reports that the warning comes as political campaigns for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections commenced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
In a statement issued by Moses Jolayemi, Technical Adviser to the NBC Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, the commission said the commencement of political campaigns placed greater responsibility on those disseminating information to uphold accuracy, fairness, professionalism and accountability.
The NBC said radio and television broadcasters, in particular, must recognise the significant influence their platforms have on public opinion and voters’ decisions.
It therefore urged licensed broadcasters to ensure that political coverage remained fair, balanced and equitable, stressing that stations must not use their platforms to promote or suppress any political party, candidate or viewpoint.
The commission also cautioned broadcasters against presenting unverified political claims, allegations, statistics or assertions as facts.
It said allegations involving corruption, criminality, electoral manipulation, misconduct and other issues capable of damaging the reputation of individuals or institutions must undergo appropriate editorial verification before being broadcast.
The NBC added that the right of reply must be respected where an individual or organisation had been genuinely misrepresented.
It further cautioned presenters, anchors, reporters, producers and hosts of political programmes against presenting personal political opinions as established facts.
According to the commission, presenters must not intimidate or harass guests, suppress opposing views or manipulate discussions in favour of particular political interests.
The NBC stressed that broadcasters remain responsible for content aired on their platforms, including statements and material introduced by guests, callers and panellists during live or interactive programmes.
NBC warns against unofficial election results
The commission said it would closely monitor the allocation of political airtime and directed broadcasters to maintain accurate records of the dates, programmes and duration of airtime allocated to political parties and candidates.
It emphasised that equal opportunity must go beyond merely making airtime available for purchase, noting that editorial and programming practices must not systematically give an unfair advantage to any political party, candidate or viewpoint.
The NBC also reminded broadcasters that political advertisements must be clearly distinguishable from news, editorial content, analysis and independent programming.
It said political adverts must comply with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and meet requirements relating to truth, decency, good taste and morality.
The commission expressed particular concern about the use of broadcast, digital and social media platforms to circulate inflammatory and divisive political content.
It warned against content capable of inciting violence, promoting hatred, threatening public order or deepening ethnic, religious, regional or political divisions.
“The political season must not become an avenue for mobilising Nigerians against one another,” the commission said.
The NBC also cautioned broadcasters and other information disseminators against announcing or projecting election results based on unofficial sources.
It said figures collated from polling stations, exit polls or other unofficial sources must not be used to project or speculate on which candidate is leading or likely to win.
According to the commission, election results and declarations of winners should only be broadcast as announced by the duly authorised electoral officer.
The NBC further reminded broadcasters of the statutory campaign silence period, directing that partisan political broadcasts, campaigns, jingles and announcements must cease no later than 24 hours before polling day.
NBC to intensify monitoring of political broadcasts
The commission said its monitoring of political broadcasts would be intensified throughout the electioneering period.
The exercise will cover paid political advertisements, 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 NBC said particular attention would be paid to airtime allocation, fairness and balance, inflammatory content, misinformation, hate speech, incitement, presenter conduct, political advertising and compliance with the campaign silence period.
The commission also urged online publishers, bloggers, social media commentators and other content creators involved in election-related information dissemination to exercise the highest level of responsibility in the interest of national peace and democratic stability.
It said the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process would depend not only on the conduct of political parties, candidates and electoral officials but also on the credibility of the information environment in which citizens make their choices.
The NBC therefore called on broadcasters, editors, presenters, producers, reporters, political advertisers, online publishers, bloggers and other stakeholders to avoid becoming channels for false, hateful, inflammatory or deliberately misleading information.
The commission stressed that its objective was not to restrict legitimate political expression or robust political debate but to ensure that Nigeria’s information environment remained conducive to peaceful democratic participation.
It urged stakeholders to familiarise themselves with relevant provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the Electoral Act 2026 and applicable regulations and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the current INEC timetable, campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections commenced on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026.
The NBC urged broadcasters and other stakeholders to approach the electioneering period not merely as a commercial opportunity but as a significant public responsibility.
It said responsible journalism, credible information and fair political discourse would be critical to protecting national cohesion and enabling Nigerians to make informed choices at the polls.
