NBC to sanction broadcasters who bully guests, express opinions as fact

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced it will begin sanctioning broadcast presenters who violate professional ethics by bullying guests or presenting personal opinions as facts.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a stern warning to broadcast presenters across Nigeria, stating that those who express personal opinions as facts or bully guests during live programs will face immediate sanctions. In a statement released on Friday, the regulatory body noted a troubling surge in violations of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly within news, current affairs, and political segments. The commission emphasized that the media’s role is to serve the public interest through objectivity rather than becoming a platform for personal agendas or the intimidation of interviewees.

According to the regulator, many anchors have increasingly abandoned the core principles of accuracy and balance, often denying fair hearing to opposing viewpoints. The NBC expressed concern that this trend undermines the professional standards required to maintain a healthy democratic discourse. “The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has identified a sustained increase in breaches of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code across News, Current Affairs, and Political Programmes,” the statement reads, adding that “Broadcast platforms are increasingly being deployed in ways that depart from their core obligation to inform the public with accuracy, balance, and professionalism.”

To curb these excesses, the commission has officially designated such professional lapses as “Class B” breaches, which carry specific penalties under the broadcasting framework. The NBC stressed that presenters must remain impartial and ensure that all sides of public interest issues are fairly represented without bias or coercion. “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,” the NBC warned. This move is expected to enforce stricter adherence to the national broadcasting code as the country navigates a complex political and social landscape.

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