The recent warning by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction broadcast stations over declining professional standards has drawn sharp reactions from media stakeholders, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). The directive, which targets radio and television organisations, has sparked a broader debate about press freedom and regulatory overreach ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NBC had issued a formal notice to broadcasters, citing a “sustained rise in ethical and professional breaches” in news, current affairs and political programming. It warned that stations found culpable in declining professionalism, misuse of platforms by political actors and the spread of hate speech would face sanctions.
In its statement, the commission expressed concern over what it described as a troubling trend in which broadcast platforms are being used in ways that undermine their responsibility to inform the public with accuracy, balance and professionalism.
It cautioned that such practices could erode public trust and heighten tensions as the country approaches another election cycle, stressing that it would enforce “strict and uncompromised compliance” with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The NBC also highlighted a “crisis” in the professionalism of programme anchors, accusing some presenters of injecting personal opinions, denying fair representation to opposing views and tilting discussions toward vested interests.
“As we approach the 2027 general elections, the Commission, hereby, notifies all broadcasters and stakeholders that it will enforce strict and uncompromised compliance with every provision of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly, those relating to fairness, balance, accuracy, hate speech, incitement and respect for constitutional bodies,” the commission said.
It further criticised the increasing use of broadcast platforms by politicians to disseminate inflammatory and divisive content capable of inciting public disorder. The commission warned that hate speech and inciting rhetoric pose a serious threat to national stability, adding that broadcasters bear ultimate responsibility for all content aired on their platforms.
“Broadcast platforms must not be used for hate speech, personal attacks or content inciting disorder along political lines. The Code places a non-transferable obligation on broadcasters to exercise editorial judgment at all times, including during live programming,” it stated.
However, critics argue that the NBC’s move could be politically motivated. Political analyst Adebayo Okunade alleged that the directive may favour the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by limiting opposition voices.
“What the NBC is doing is to give political advantage to the ruling APC… the only way to stop the opposition from exposing the failures and rot in the system is to prevent the broadcast media from entertaining them,” he said, warning that such regulation could suppress legitimate criticism under the guise of curbing incitement.
The NUJ also rejected the directive, describing it as a veiled attempt to gag the media and institutionalise censorship. In a statement by its secretary, Achike Chude, the union said the move threatens editorial independence and free speech.
“Journalism, particularly in the realm of current affairs and political analysis, requires robust engagement. To strip presenters of their right to analyse and contextualise news is to reduce the Nigerian media to a mere mouthpiece,” it said, warning that vague sanctions could foster self-censorship.
Similarly, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) criticised the NBC’s position as ambiguous and open to abuse, arguing that it could stifle legitimate journalistic inquiry. Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also raised concerns, describing the directive as “very troubling” and cautioning that attempts to regulate media content during a sensitive political period could weaken democracy.
“Attempting to stifle voices, moderate opinions or intimidate journalists under the guise of regulation only weakens our already fragile democracy,” he said, urging authorities to prioritise transparency, accountability and institutional independence.