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The Independent Media Commission (IMC) has ordered Liberty TV Online to publish a clarification and an unqualified retraction over unverified allegations broadcast and republished against former Cabinet Minister and 2028 presidential aspirant, Dr Sylvia Olayinka Blyden.
In a ruling delivered by IMC Chairman and Commissioner Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa, Esq., the Commission found that the broadcaster breached its duty of accuracy and balance under the media regulations.
The complaint arose from a breakfast programme aired by Liberty TV Online on 11 July 2025, featuring social commentator Zainab Sheriff as a guest. Dr Blyden complained that Ms Sheriff alleged during the programme that she had entered Ms Sheriff’s residence and attempted to covertly record a minor child there. She also challenged a subsequent news summary published by the broadcaster claiming that she had “showed some level of dishonesty.”
According to the ruling, the Commission specifically invited Liberty TV Online’s legal representatives to provide evidence supporting the allegations that Dr Blyden entered Ms Sheriff’s premises or attempted to record a child. No evidence was produced.
The IMC rejected the broadcaster’s argument that an on-screen disclaimer protected it from liability for statements made by guests. The Commission held that responsibility for ensuring accuracy rests with the broadcaster, not with guests appearing on its platform.
The ruling further found that the allegation of dishonesty was an editorial addition made by Liberty TV Online and not a neutral reflection of the interview. The Commission stated that the broadcaster published the claim under its own name without first seeking Dr Blyden’s response and without any evidential basis in the underlying broadcast.
Applying the balance of probabilities, the IMC concluded that Liberty TV Online broadcast unverified claims that Dr Blyden visited Ms Sheriff’s residence and attempted to record a minor there, and later republished a damaging allegation of dishonesty without verification or prior comment from the complainant.
The Commission ordered Liberty TV Online, within seven days of receiving the ruling, to publish a clarification on the same platform and with the same prominence as the original publication, stating that the allegations could not be substantiated, should not have been broadcast without verification, and are withdrawn.
It also directed the broadcaster to publish an unqualified retraction of the news summary imputing dishonesty to Dr Blyden.
Although the Commission found breaches of the regulations, it imposed no fine or costs, noting that this was Liberty TV Online’s first appearance before the IMC on a complaint of this nature. The broadcaster was, however, formally cautioned regarding its future conduct.
