There have been mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media after the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) issued a notice to broadcasters violating broadcasting codes during their programmes
Recall earlier on Saturday, the NBC, in a press release, issued a warning to broadcasting organisations to adhere to the Commission’s 6th Edition of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code after it discovered gross breaches of the rules and regulations guiding the profession.
The NBC, therefore, warned it would enforce strict compliance with the laid-down provision against media houses that violate the broadcasting code.
According to the statement, “Broadcast platforms are increasingly being deployed in ways that depart from their core obligation to inform the public with accuracy, balance, and professionalism.
“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.”
Meanwhile, this has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians on the microblogging platform monitored by this news platform. Some commended the Commission for the move while others criticised the organisation.
An X user, Ojo Festus Olarenwaju, commended the organisation, saying, “This is timely, imagine an anchor on @channelstv referring to the President as ‘Your’ president. That came after she disallowed her guest to make his point. Highly unprofessional.”
Another user, Olumide Olorunfemi, while commending the NBC, advised the Commission that the notice should not be only during elections but at all times.
He said, “Good. But carrying out your responsibility must not always be tied to the moment of an election year. Nobody should remind you of such; go and do your work responsibly.”
Another user, Daily Banger, called on the NBC to be balanced, questioning why the Commission was silent when a presenter was threatened.
He said, “But you never issued any press release when a serving minister threatened he would have shot a presenter. Shame on all of you at this agency for thinking you can silence opposing voices.”
A user, Chukwuka Kingsley Ebenyi, called for the protection of journalists, not just targeting the defaulters.
“This is very bad; I wonder what you are doing to protect the journalist as well. Nobody from @nbcgovng said anything when a minister said he would have shot a journalist; everywhere was silent. Election is approaching, U just don’t want them to talk about the bad governance.”
