2027 Elections: NBC Warns Media Outlets Against Misinformation, Hate Speech

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

The warning comes as political parties and aspirants across various elective positions intensify preparations and 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 urged radio and television broadcasters to recognise their significant influence on public opinion and voters’ choices during elections.

Ebuebu urged broadcasters to maintain accuracy, fairness, professionalism and responsibility in their coverage of political activities.

The commission called for balanced and equitable coverage of political campaigns by licensed broadcasters, stressing the need for proper editorial verification to prevent the promotion or suppression of political parties, candidates or viewpoints.

It also warned against presenting unverified political claims, allegations, statistics and assertions as facts.

The NBC further urged presenters, anchors, reporters, producers and programme hosts to remain objective, avoid harassing guests, suppressing opposing views or manipulating programmes to favour particular political interests.

The commission directed broadcasters to clearly distinguish political advertising from news, editorial content, analysis and independent programming. It noted that political advertisements must comply with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and meet requirements relating to truth, decency, good taste and morality.

The NBC also warned that the election period must not become an avenue for promoting hatred or violence, urging media organisations to desist from using broadcast, digital and social media platforms to disseminate inflammatory and divisive political content.

Broadcasters were specifically cautioned against speculating on election results based on polling-unit figures or unofficial sources.

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

It also reminded broadcasters of the statutory campaign silence period, directing that partisan political broadcasts, campaigns, jingles and announcements must stop no later than 24 hours before polling day.

The NBC said it would intensify monitoring of political broadcasts throughout the electioneering period.

According to the commission, 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 platforms through which political content is disseminated.

Particular attention, it added, would be given to airtime allocation, fairness and balance, inflammatory content, misinformation, hate speech, incitement, conduct of presenters, political advertising and compliance with the campaign silence period.