NBC warns broadcasters against hate speech, misinformation ahead of 2027 elections

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has cautioned broadcasters, online publishers and bloggers against hate speech, misinformation and inflammatory content that could undermine the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general election.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Moses Jolayemi, technical adviser to Charles Ebuebu, NBC director-general, as political campaigns for the 2027 presidential and national assembly elections commenced.

The commission said the commencement of political campaigns placed greater responsibility on broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other participants in Nigeria’s information ecosystem to uphold accuracy, fairness, professionalism and responsibility.

The NBC urged licensed broadcasters to ensure that political coverage was fair, balanced and equitable, warning stations against using their platforms to promote or suppress particular political parties, candidates or viewpoints.

The commission cautioned broadcasters against presenting unverified political claims, allegations, statistics or assertions as facts.

The NBC 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 also reminded broadcasters to respect the right of reply where a person or organisation has been genuinely misrepresented.

The commission cautioned presenters, anchors, reporters, producers and hosts of political programmes against presenting their personal political views as facts.

“Presenters must not intimidate or harass guests, suppress opposing views or manipulate discussions in favour of particular political interests,” the statement said.

The NBC said responsibility for content aired remained with broadcasters, including material introduced by guests, callers and panellists during live or interactive programmes.

‘DON’T BROADCAST UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS’

The commission also warned broadcasters against airing election results or projections from unofficial sources.

The regulatory agency said figures collated from polling stations, exit polls and other unofficial sources must not be used to project or speculate on which candidate was leading or likely to win.

The commission said election results and declarations of winners should only be broadcast as announced by duly authorised electoral officers.

The NBC 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.

The commission said its monitoring of political broadcasts would be intensified throughout the electioneering period.

“The monitoring 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 statement added.

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 to exercise the highest degree of responsibility when disseminating election-related information.

The NBC warned against content capable of inciting violence, promoting hatred, threatening public order or deepening ethnic, religious, regional or political divisions.

The commission said the political season must not become an avenue for mobilising Nigerians against one another.

The NBC said 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 broadcasters, editors, presenters, producers, reporters, political advertisers, online publishers, bloggers and other stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the Electoral Act 2026 and applicable regulations and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The current INEC timetable provides for presidential and national assembly campaigns to commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state houses of assembly elections will begin on September 9.