The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has held separate meetings with Channels Television and Arise News to strengthen professional standards, editorial responsibility and compliance with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The engagements, led by the Director-General of NBC, Mr Charles Ebuebu, took place with Channels Television on November 10, 2026, and Arise News on November 11, 2026.
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Discussions centred on heated exchanges involving television presenters and invited guests, disparaging remarks, frequent interruptions that undermine meaningful responses, and the blurring of professional boundaries between presenters, analysts and commentators.
The NBC Director-General stressed that robust public debate must be guided by civility, fairness and professional restraint.
He noted that presenters were expected to maintain impartiality, provide guests with reasonable opportunities to express their views and ensure that factual claims were verified and supported by credible evidence before broadcast.
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Ebuebu also urged broadcasters to exercise particular caution when discussing matters of national interest and electoral issues, ensuring that ambiguous, misleading or inflammatory statements were challenged and clarified appropriately.
The Commission drew attention to relevant provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Sixth Edition, particularly Sections 1.10.3, 1.10.4, 3.3.1(a), 3.3.1(b) and (e), 5.1.11, 5.1.12 and 5.2.1, which address accuracy, journalistic ethics, fairness, balance, professional moderation and editorial responsibility.
The Commission explained that its regulatory mandate was not intended to restrict legitimate criticism or freedom of expression but to safeguard broadcasting standards and promote a credible, responsible and well-moderated media environment.
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Channels Television was represented at the meeting by Mr Ambrose Okoh and Mr Seun Okinbaloye, while Arise News was represented by Mr Bayo Awosemo, Barrister Christian Ita and Mr Rufai Oseni.
Both engagements ended on a constructive note, with the NBC stressing the importance of sustained stakeholder collaboration and strict compliance with the Broadcasting Code by all licensed broadcasters.