Atiku condemns NBC election code as media freedom threat ahead of 2027 polls
Atiku Abubakar slammed the National Broadcasting Commission's new code of conduct advisory as a "troubling attempt" to muzzle media freedom, warning it aims to stifle dissent as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. The ADC chieftain and Amnesty International echoed concerns, calling the NBC directive unduly restrictive and potentially self-censoring for journalists.
The NBC issued the advisory April 17, citing a "sustained increase" in breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code—particularly presenters expressing opinions as fact, denying fair hearing, and spreading hate speech in political programming. It warned broadcasters of "strict and uncompromised compliance," with violations attracting regulatory sanctions, effective immediately.
This matters because Nigeria's broadcast media shapes how citizens access election information. If restrictions limit critical discussion or balanced coverage, voters may receive skewed narratives ahead of crucial polls. With elections less than two years away, media freedom directly impacts the integrity of the democratic process.
Will you seek multiple news sources to counter potential bias in election coverage, or rely solely on mainstream broadcasters whose reporting might face new constraints?