By our Reporter
Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
has warned broadcast media organisations against the spread of misinformation, stressing that the credibility of the 2027 General Election will depend largely on how responsibly Nigeria’s airwaves are managed.
Amupitan gave the warning on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, where he described the information space as a critical battleground in modern elections.
According to him, the greatest threat to credible polls may no longer be physical disruptions but the rapid spread of false information amplified through unverified broadcasts.
He emphasised the need for strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, particularly provisions guiding political broadcasting. The INEC chairman noted that with 22 registered political parties, equal access to media platforms is a statutory obligation, stressing that fairness in airtime allocation and coverage is a legal requirement, not a matter of discretion.
Amupitan also highlighted provisions of the law prohibiting abusive, inflammatory, or divisive language capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions. He warned that irresponsible broadcasting could undermine national cohesion and destabilise the electoral process, urging media practitioners to uphold professionalism at all times.
The INEC chairman further reminded broadcasters of the mandatory 24-hour “cooling-off period” before Election Day, during which political campaigns and advertisements are prohibited. He said the measure is designed to allow voters reflect and make informed decisions free from last-minute manipulation or misinformation.
While acknowledging the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, Amupitan maintained that such freedom must be exercised within the framework of the law. He explained that as a public resource, the airwaves impose a responsibility on regulators and operators to ensure equitable access and responsible use during elections.
He underscored the complementary roles of INEC and the National Broadcasting Commission in safeguarding the integrity of political broadcasting, but noted that regulatory overlaps, enforcement gaps, and the growing convergence of traditional and digital media have made monitoring more complex.
Raising concerns over perceived incumbency advantage in state-owned media and the increasing commercialisation of political airtime, Amupitan warned that such practices could disadvantage smaller political parties and weaken the level playing field required for credible elections.
To address these challenges, he called for stronger collaboration among regulatory bodies, clearer legal definitions of equal access, improved fact-checking mechanisms, and greater transparency in political advertising, including full disclosure of sponsorship and pricing.
He charged broadcast organisations to prioritise truth and professionalism over profit, urging them to verify information before dissemination and actively combat fake news. He also encouraged the media to play a proactive role in mobilising citizens to participate in the electoral process.
Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency, the INEC chairman advised broadcasters to rely on official INEC platforms as authoritative sources of electoral information, assuring them of continued engagement with designated commission spokespersons.
Amupitan concluded that the credibility of the 2027 General Election will depend not only on electoral logistics and technology but also on the integrity of the information environment, urging the media to act responsibly in the overriding interest of Nigeria’s democracy.
