The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a fresh warning to broadcasters, saying presenters who push personal opinions as facts or intimidate guests on air risk facing sanctions.
In a statement released Friday, the commission said it has observed a steady rise in violations of the sixth edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly across news, current affairs, and political programmes.
According to the NBC, some presenters are straying from professional standards by denying fair hearing to opposing views and failing to maintain neutrality during discussions.
The commission made it clear that such actions breach the code, which mandates impartiality and balanced representation of all sides on issues of public interest.
Going forward, the NBC said any presenter who expresses personal opinions as facts, bullies or intimidates guests, or shuts out opposing voices will be classified as committing a Class B breach—an offence that carries regulatory penalties.
The regulator also expressed concern about the growing trend of political actors using broadcast platforms to spread divisive, inflammatory, or unverified claims.
It stressed that broadcasters remain fully responsible for everything aired on their platforms, including live programmes, noting that this responsibility cannot be shifted to guests.
Reaffirming its stance, the NBC said it will strictly enforce compliance with the broadcasting code, especially on issues relating to hate speech, incitement, and lack of balance.
The commission urged media professionals to uphold accuracy, fairness, and professionalism, warning that as the country approaches a sensitive electoral period, the airwaves must not become a channel for misinformation.
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