By KosofePost
Honourable Ganiu Oyebanjo, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticised the increasing practice among partisan media outlets of suppressing paid political advertisements from rival candidates.
In a statement shared via the KosofePost WhatsApp platform, Oyebanjo responded to the post “Publisher Warns Partisan Media Against Suppressing Paid Candidate Coverage,” highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding the intersection of political bias and paid media content.
He noted that some ideologically aligned outlets reportedly refuse to publish or air paid advertisements from political opponents, even when such content meets legal and safety requirements. Oyebanjo described the trend as “unhealthy for democracy,” stressing that media organisations have a duty to ensure fairness and balance, particularly during politically sensitive periods.
Citing an international example, he referenced a case involving an American broadcaster who allegedly declined to feature Nigeria’s First Lady on a programme, reportedly taking pride in the decision. Oyebanjo argued that such actions illustrate bias rather than journalistic integrity.
“This is unhealthy, unprofessional and unethical. This is not journalism. It is pure favouritism,” he asserted.
Known also as GOCO, Oyebanjo called on media practitioners to uphold ethical standards, ensuring equal access to platforms for all candidates who meet established guidelines. He warned that suppressing legitimate paid coverage undermines democratic principles and the credibility of the press.