Nigeria has sanctioned approximately 25 broadcast stations for violating broadcasting laws while covering the general elections last month.
According to local media, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has also issued a final warning to 16 others for various poll-related offenses.
- Seventeen stations were accused of airing partisan content 24 hours prior to the election
- Three were sanctioned for inciting comments
- Four were said to have aired divisive ethnic or religious content
- One was sanctioned for announcing results ahead of an official announcement by the electoral commission
“Subversive discussions and reckless comments capable of tearing us apart as a people were broadcast freely without proper gatekeeping. “Ethics and professionalism were thrown out the window,” said NBC Director-General Balarabe Ilelah.
Mr. Ilelah urged all broadcast stations to follow broadcasting laws ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial and state assembly elections.
