The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a strong warning to television and radio presenters across Nigeria, cautioning that anchors who bully guests, deny fair hearing, or present personal opinions as facts will face sanctions as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released through its Public Affairs Department, the commission said it had 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, the trend points to a growing decline in professionalism within the broadcast industry, with some presenters abandoning neutrality and allowing bias to influence their programmes.
The commission noted that broadcast platforms are increasingly being used in ways that undermine their core responsibility of providing accurate, balanced and credible information to the public.
At the centre of the warning is the conduct of programme anchors, many of whom the regulator accused of blurring the line between opinion and fact.
The NBC said it had recorded cases where presenters expressed personal views as established truths, intimidated guests during interviews, and failed to provide equal opportunity for opposing perspectives.
It stressed that such actions violate the broadcasting code, which requires fairness, balance and impartiality in handling issues of public interest.
The commission warned that any presenter found engaging in such conduct would be deemed to have committed a Class B breach, which attracts regulatory sanctions.
It also raised concern over the increasing use of broadcast platforms by political actors to air divisive, inflammatory and sometimes unverified content.
According to the NBC, broadcasters cannot shift responsibility to guests, even during live programmes, insisting that media organisations remain fully accountable for everything aired on their platforms.
The warning comes as political activities begin to build ahead of the 2027 elections, a period traditionally marked by heightened media engagement and intense public debate.
The commission cautioned that failure to uphold professional standards could fuel misinformation, deepen political divisions and threaten national unity.
It emphasised the need for broadcasters to maintain discipline, uphold ethical standards and ensure that all sides of issues are fairly represented.
The NBC also reiterated its commitment to enforcing compliance with the broadcasting code, warning that violations involving hate speech, incitement and imbalance would attract sanctions.
Analysts say the move reflects growing concern over the integrity of public discourse in Nigeria, especially as the country prepares for another electoral cycle.
They note that broadcasters play a critical role in shaping public opinion and must therefore prioritise accuracy, fairness and professionalism in their coverage.
