NBC Issues Caution to Anchors on Guest Treatment and Maintaining Objectivity

The Nigerian authorities have cautioned television broadcasters and presenters regarding violations of Nigerian broadcasting standards.

The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, conveyed this caution in a published notice to broadcasters on Friday.

NBC stated that the alert arises amidst a reported increase in unprofessional broadcasting practices throughout Nigerian news media channels.

The regulatory body informed broadcasters, including Arise Television, Channels TV, and others, that it would enforce rigorous and unwavering adherence to all stipulations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, especially those concerning fairness, balance, precision, hate speech, incitement, and reverence for constitutional entities.

NBC cautioned broadcasters to maintain professionalism when addressing political, communal, and conflict-related matters.

“The broadcaster shall demonstrate professionalism in the transmission of content, particularly regarding sensitive subjects like politics, communal disputes, and warfare.

Specifically, it warned of penalties for anchors or presenters found to have presented personal viewpoints as facts, intimidated or coerced a guest, denied opposing perspectives a fair hearing, or otherwise compromised impartiality, or shown disrespect towards human dignity.