![Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN arrives MMIA past 11:50 p.m. Feb 23 to lead oversight of Terminal 1 fire. Joined FAAN MD & team actively managing situation. Directed morning inspection Tuesday to guide restoration & confirm safety standards. Reaffirmed focus on passenger safety. Story: [link] #KeyamoMMIA #FireIncident #FAAN](https://fullcliphq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mym-150x150.jpg "MMIA Fire: Keyamo Inspects Lagos Airport After Terminal 1 Blaze Disrupts Flights")
Nigeria’s broadcast regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has placed all television and radio stations on formal notice, citing a “sustained increase” in breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly in news, current affairs, and political programming as the nation gears up for the 2027 general elections.
In a press release dated April 17, 2026, and shared widely on the commission’s official X account on April 18, the NBC expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing departure from the core principles of broadcast journalism.” The regulator warned that anchors and presenters who express personal opinions as facts, bully or intimidate guests, deny fair hearing to opposing views, or compromise neutrality will be deemed to have committed a Class B breach under the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Key violations of The Code, highlighted by the NBC include presenters injecting personal opinions and presenting them as objective facts, failure to ensure balance, fairness, and equitable airtime for differing perspectives, broadcast of hate speech, incitement to disorder, inflammatory or divisive content, and unverified claims, as well as bullying or intimidation of guests during live or recorded programmes.
The commission stressed that editorial responsibility rests squarely with broadcasters and cannot be shifted to guests, even in live situations. It reminded stations that compliance with the Code is “mandatory, not discretionary,” and vowed to enforce sanctions without compromise as elections approach. The warning comes amid heightened political tensions and preparations for the 2027 polls.
Informed observers note that Nigeria’s media landscape has grown more polarized, with talk shows and political programmes often featuring biased framing, and occasional unprofessional conduct. Recent incidents, such as high-profile on-air confrontations and the spread of unverified political narratives, appear to have prompted the regulator’s intervention.
The NBC’s move echoes similar actions taken before the 2023 elections, when the commission sanctioned multiple stations for alleged breaches related to the Electoral Act and broadcasting standards.
However, critics argue that enforcement has sometimes appeared selective, raising questions about consistency and potential political influence. The announcement has sparked vigorous debate online and in media circles.
Many social media users accused the NBC of selective enforcement, pointing to the recent incident in which Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a live media chat, reacted angrily to Channels Television anchor Seun Okinbaloye’s comments on “Politics Today.” Wike stated he “would have shot him” if he could break the screen – a remark widely condemned by journalists, civil society groups including Amnesty International, and rights advocates as a threat that itself appeared to violate broadcasting standards on incitement.
Critics noted the absence of any immediate NBC statement or sanction in that case, contrasting it with the current broad warning to stations. Opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, described the NBC directive as “yet another troubling attempt to muzzle the media and shrink the space for free expression.” Atiku warned that such advisories, often issued near election periods, do more to silence dissent than to promote ethical journalism.
Supporters of the NBC’s position, however, argue that the airwaves have become increasingly toxic, with some anchors displaying overt bias, interrupting guests aggressively, or failing to fact-check claims. They contend that stronger enforcement could help restore public trust in broadcast media and reduce the risk of election-related violence fueled by inflammatory rhetoric.
Some legal commentators have questioned whether certain aspects of the directive — particularly restrictions on presenters expressing opinions – align fully with constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). They point to judicial precedents emphasising that broadcast regulations must not unduly stifle press freedom or legitimate editorial commentary.
The NBC maintains that its role is to uphold professional standards that serve the public interest, ensuring broadcasting contributes to accurate information, national cohesion, and peaceful democratic processes rather than division. Stations are expected to strengthen internal editorial controls, train presenters on the Code’s provisions, and ensure robust moderation during political programmes.
Failure to comply could result in fines, suspensions, or other sanctions outlined in the Broadcasting Code. As Nigeria enters the pre-election season, the regulator’s directive underscores the delicate balance between media freedom and responsibility.
Meanwhile, recall that the Media Rights Agenda – a press freedon advocacy group, had secured a unanimous decision at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on April 2, 2026, dismissing an appeal by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) seeking to overturn a Federal High Court’s judgment perpetually restraining it from imposing fines on radio and television stations and setting aside the fines it levied on 45 broadcast stations on March 1, 2019, for alleged breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Whether this latest notice is leads to genuinely fairer coverage or fuels accusations of regulatory overreach will likely become clearer in the months ahead.
