The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other content disseminators against using their platforms to spread misinformation, hate speech, inflammatory material and other content that could threaten peaceful elections.
The warning comes as campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections begin across Nigeria on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
In a statement issued by Moses Jolayemi, Technical Adviser to NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu, the commission said the start of political campaigns places greater responsibility on those providing election-related information to the public.
The NBC urged media organisations and other information providers to prioritise accuracy, fairness, professionalism and responsible reporting throughout the election period.
Broadcasters told to maintain fairness
The commission said radio and television stations must recognise the influence their platforms have on public opinion and voters’ decisions.
Licensed broadcasters were therefore directed to ensure that political coverage remains balanced and equitable, without using their platforms to favour or disadvantage political parties, candidates or viewpoints.
The NBC also warned against presenting unverified political claims, allegations, statistics or assertions as established facts.
Claims relating to corruption, criminal activity, electoral malpractice, misconduct and other potentially damaging allegations must undergo proper editorial checks before being broadcast, the commission said.
It also reminded broadcasters to provide a right of reply where an individual or organisation has been genuinely misrepresented.
Presenters, reporters, anchors and hosts of political programmes were equally cautioned against allowing their personal political opinions to be presented as facts.
The commission said programme hosts must not intimidate guests, suppress opposing views or manipulate discussions to benefit particular political interests.
Broadcasters responsible for live content
The NBC stressed that responsibility for material broadcast on a station remains with the broadcaster, including comments made by guests, callers and panellists during live or interactive programmes.
It also directed broadcasters to keep proper records of political airtime allocated to parties and candidates, including the dates, programmes and duration of the broadcasts.
According to the commission, equal opportunity should not simply mean making airtime available for purchase. Programming and editorial decisions must also avoid creating an unfair advantage for a particular political party, candidate or political position.
Political advertisements, it added, must be clearly separated from news reports, editorial material, analysis and independent programming.
The NBC reminded broadcasters that political adverts must comply with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, including requirements relating to truth, decency, good taste and morality.
Warning over inflammatory political content
The commission expressed particular concern about the use of broadcast, digital and social media platforms to distribute divisive political material.
It warned against content capable of encouraging violence, promoting hatred, threatening public order or worsening ethnic, religious, regional and political tensions.
The NBC said the election season should not become an opportunity to mobilise Nigerians against one another.
It also warned broadcasters and other information providers against publishing election results or projections obtained from unofficial sources.
According to the commission, figures gathered from polling units, exit polls or other unofficial channels should not be used to declare or speculate on which candidate is ahead or likely to win.
Only results and declarations announced by authorised electoral officers should be broadcast as official election outcomes, the NBC said.
Campaign silence period
The commission also reminded broadcasters of the statutory campaign silence period.
It directed that partisan political broadcasts, campaigns, jingles and announcements must stop at least 24 hours before polling day.
The NBC said it would intensify its monitoring of political broadcasts throughout the electioneering period.
Its monitoring will cover paid political adverts as well as news bulletins, current affairs programmes, debates, interviews, phone-in shows, commentaries, sponsored programmes, live broadcasts and other programmes carrying political content.
Particular attention will be given to airtime allocation, balance, inflammatory material, misinformation, hate speech, incitement, presenter conduct, political advertising and compliance with the campaign silence requirement.
Online publishers also warned
The NBC extended its appeal beyond traditional broadcasters, urging online publishers, bloggers, social media commentators and other content creators to exercise responsibility when publishing election-related information.
The commission said the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process depends not only on political parties, candidates and election officials but also on the quality of information available to voters.
It urged editors, presenters, producers, reporters, advertisers, bloggers and other stakeholders to avoid turning their platforms into channels for false, hateful, inflammatory or deliberately misleading content.
The NBC clarified that its objective was not to prevent legitimate political expression or healthy debate but to promote an information environment that supports peaceful democratic participation.
It urged stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the Electoral Act 2026 and relevant guidelines and regulations issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Under the current INEC timetable, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections begin on August 19, while campaigns for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled to commence on September 9, 2026.
The NBC urged media organisations and other stakeholders to view election coverage not simply as a commercial opportunity but as a major public responsibility.
The commission said credible information, responsible journalism and fair political discourse would be critical to preserving national cohesion and helping voters make informed choices at the polls.