NBC warns anchors against bullying guests, denying fair hearing

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters against unethical conduct by presenters and anchors, saying violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code will attract sanctions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Friday through its Public Affairs Department, the commission said it had observed a disturbing decline in professionalism, with some presenters breaching standards of fairness, balance and neutrality.

The commission said some anchors now express personal opinions as facts, fail to provide equal representation for opposing views, and allow inflammatory or divisive content on programmes.

“Henceforth, any anchor or presenter found to have expressed personal opinion as fact, bullied or intimidated a guest, denied fair hearing to opposing views, or otherwise compromised neutrality, shall be deemed to have committed a Class B breach,” NBC said.

It added that editorial responsibility rests solely with broadcasters and cannot be transferred to guests, even during live programmes.

The commission said the warning followed a sustained rise in breaches across news, current affairs and political programmes, noting that broadcast platforms were increasingly being used in ways that undermine professionalism and accurate public information.

The NBC also raised concern over the misuse of broadcast platforms by political actors to air content capable of inciting disorder, spreading hate speech and threatening national unity.

It said it would enforce strict compliance with all provisions of the broadcasting code, warning that inflammatory, divisive or unsubstantiated broadcasts would attract regulatory sanctions.

As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, the commission urged broadcasters to promote responsible discourse and ensure the airwaves remain platforms for credible information and national cohesion.

The post NBC warns anchors against bullying guests, denying fair hearing appeared first on Vanguard News.