2027 Elections: NBC Warns Broadcasters Against Misinformation, Hate Speech

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other participants in Nigeria’s expanding information ecosystem against using their platforms to spread misinformation, hate speech, inflammatory material and other content capable of undermining peaceful elections.

The warning comes as political parties and their candidates across different political offices begin their campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 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.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Moses Jolayemi, Technical Adviser to the NBC Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, the commission cautioned radio and television broadcasters to recognise that their platforms have “enormous influence on public opinion and the choices citizens make during elections.”
He urged media outlets to uphold accuracy, fairness, professionalism and responsibility in their coverage.
The commission called for fair and balanced coverage of all political campaigns by licensed broadcasters, stressing the need for appropriate editorial verification to prevent the promotion or suppression of any political party, candidate or political viewpoint.
It also warned against presenting unverified political claims, allegations, statistics or assertions as facts.
The NBC advised presenters, anchors, reporters, producers and hosts to maintain objectivity and avoid harassing guests, suppressing opposing views or manipulating programmes 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 closely monitor the allocation of political airtime and directed 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.
According to the NBC, political advertising is subject to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and must meet requirements relating to truth, decency, good taste and morality.
The commission cautioned that the political season must not be used as an avenue to incite hatred or violence, warning against the use of broadcast, digital and social media platforms to spread inflammatory and divisive political content.
The broadcasting regulator also warned broadcasters against speculating on election results obtained from polling units and unofficial sources.
It stressed that election results and declarations of winners 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 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 commission said particular attention would be given 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, among other areas.