The National Broadcasting Commission has sanctioned more than 25 broadcasters for not complying with the current Broadcast Law, which covers coverage of the 2023 general election.
The commission also issued final warnings to 16 other broadcasters for various violations.
NBC Executive Director Balala Beirella made his statement at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the March 18 gubernatorial and state legislative elections.
According to him, 25 stations were licensed by NBC to monitor his 2023 presidential election, but 16 stations received final warnings.
Broadcasters were also sanctioned for broadcasting election results before the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the results, in violation of section 5.33 of the NBC Code. He also said 17 networks have been sanctioned for airing party content after the NBC-mandated 24-hour break, and four networks have been sanctioned for divisive comments.
Mr Ilelah said: “During our oversight, the Commission determined that some broadcasters were harassing some guests, callers, and announcers to collect unhealthy political talking points that were detrimental to our existence as a company. I was disappointed to find that List allowed me to use the platform.
“Ethnic and religious profiling is highly prevalent. Insults and counterattacks were freely thrown by guests on the broadcaster's platform to the detriment of the Nigerian people.
"Destructive arguments and unsympathetic comments that could tear us apart as a nation are being freely circulated without proper gatekeepers. Ethics and professionalism were abandoned.
“The Commission wants to remind you that we are one nation. If we pave the way for anarchy, it will affect us all. We do business because it is peaceful, and our diversity should be our strength, our asset, our strength. We must jealously guard this. History shows that every civil war ever fought by people of the same race started in the media.
“When those who should be disseminating information are prejudiced and align themselves with different groups, the division is amplified.
He clarified that broadcasters have a duty to uphold national unity, highlight diversity as a hallmark of pride, and promote sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
“As underscored in section 3.1.3 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, a broadcaster shall not, for the benefit of any individual or partial right, privilege or publicity of himself or his owners, relatives or supporters, We expect you to exercise your freedom of expression as a representative of society. “For the avoidance of doubt, the National Broadcasting Commission, established by the NBC Act CAP N11, Federal Law of Nigeria, 2004, licenses, supervises and regulates broadcasting in Nigeria and is prohibited from operating abroad. No. The Commission will continue to carry out its duties without fear or favor," he added.
A summary of the report found that 17 channels were sanctioned for broadcasting partisan content and one channel was sanctioned for announcing the results before the competent electoral authorities announced the results. , he said Ilelah.
“Three broadcasters were sanctioned for inciting comments, another four were sanctioned for divisive ethnic/religious content. 16 broadcasters have received final warnings for various violations," he announced.
Ilelah warned ahead of Saturday's gubernatorial and state legislative elections that all broadcasters must comply with the provisions of the Broadcast Act.