2027 ELECTIONS: INFORMATION MINISTER CALLS FOR RESPONSIBLE BROADCASTING TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on broadcasters to uphold accuracy, fairness and professional ethics in reporting as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, stressing that responsible broadcasting is critical to protecting democracy.
The Minister made the call on Monday in Bauchi in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, at the 3rd Annual National Conference of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB).
Idris said the reach of broadcasting placed a professional responsibility on broadcasters to ensure that information presented to the public is accurate, verified and properly contextualised.
“Responsible broadcasting, however, should never be interpreted as favourable broadcasting. A professional media must continue to question government, political parties, candidates and public institutions. It must investigate, scrutinise and hold those in positions of responsibility to account,” he said.
The Minister urged broadcasters to distinguish between facts, allegations, opinions and unverified claims, particularly as artificial intelligence and social media make it easier for false and manipulated content to spread.
“Verification cannot be treated as an occasional newsroom procedure; it must remain at the heart of professional broadcasting,” Idris said.
He said broadcasters must avoid hate speech, ethnic and religious provocation and the deliberate circulation of false information during the 2027 electoral period, while continuing to provide space for legitimate debate and criticism.
“Political competition is an essential part of democracy, but it must not be allowed to become a source of incitement, hate speech, ethnic or religious provocation, or the deliberate circulation of false information,” he said.
Idris also highlighted Federal Government investments in the broadcasting sector, including the Digital Switch Over platform and the modernisation of NTA, FRCN and VON.
“The future of broadcasting will be shaped by technology, but its credibility will continue to depend on people,” he said.
He urged the SNB and broadcasters to strengthen professional training, election reporting, verification and measures against AI-generated misinformation.
