The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has once again task Journalists and Civil Society Organisations on Objective reportage of the forthcoming General elections in 2023.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State , Dr Johnson Alalibo Senikiem gave the charge in a brief opening address at a 2-Day capacity trainnig workshop organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development CDD in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ for Journalists and Civil Society Organisations in the South South Zone in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said INEC is committed to the delivery of credible, free , fair and transparent elections in 2023, adding that Journalists and the CSOs as stakeholders have pivotal roles to play.
The REC who just assumed office as the REC for Rivers State is optimistic that with the engagement of stakeholders the atmosphere for a peaceful elections would be guaranteed.
“I wish you a fruitful deliberation, hoping that the impact will be felt positively in the conduct of 2023 elections. “. He noted
In his keynote presentation the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Chris Isiguzo urged Journalists not to be caught on the Web of fake news as peddled by social media influencers.
He admonished them to leverage on the use of new technologies so as not to be put out of business by the activities of social media influencers.
He spoke on the “Role of the Media in the conduct of Peaceful Elections” the NUJ President, noted that
“The advent of multi-media technology has changed the pattern and flow of communication, globally and since journalism is in the business and practice of Communication, it has also been impacted upon tremendously.
“Social media platforms have thrown up challenges and opportunities for the practice of journalism which many journalists and their media organisations have not embraced.
“Social media is both a threat and yet affords opportunities for journalism and businesses especially in Nigeria. It is a healthy trend but there is need for change in roles between traditional media and social media.Journalists need to avail themselves of the opportunities being provided by the Social Media Platforms to provide credible information and reduce the prevalence of hate speech and fake news. This will assist immeasurably in dousing tension in the polity.
“The media plays a major role in keeping the citizenry abreast of current events and raising awareness of various issues in any society. It also has an extremely significant impact on the public’s views and way of thinking. The media is the primary means through which public opinion is shaped and at times manipulated. If this is the media’s role then in normal course of events, it becomes even more vital in exceptional periods, one of which is electoral junctures, when the media becomes a primary player. Elections constitute a basic challenge to the media, putting its impartiality and objectivity to the test. The task of the media, especially national media outlets, is not and should not be to function as a mouthpiece for any government body or particular candidate. Its basic role is to enlighten and educate the public and act as a neutral, objective platform for the free debate of all points of view. (“Media and Parliamentary Elections in Egypt: Evaluation of Media Performance in the Parliamentary
Elections” Human
Isiguzo further admonished that
“Journalists in Nigeria should work towards the advancement of the right of freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of the press, media independence, conflict transformation and peace building. These are prerequisites for open governance and development, which ultimately serve the public interest.
“In order to properly advance public interests, earn public trust and be watchdogs of the society, the pursuit of truth and public good must be the cornerstone of journalism practice in Nigeria. This makes it obligatory for every journalist to maximally comply with ethical principles and professional standards. It also makes it obligatory for every journalist to be entitled to decent wages, protection from attacks or hazards and conducive working environment.
“ It is our hope that participants will avail themselves of this training opportunity to ensure that a level playing field is provided for all political actors and ensure that peoples’ votes will count through a highly professional management of news by journalists who are equipped with international best practices. This is the only way we as professionals can advance the course of peace and ensure a credible and peaceful transition. “
In his opening remarks the Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development CDD Idayal Hassan said the training workshop was to ensure that Journalists and the CSOs are abreast with key roles expected of them in order to ensure a peaceful conduct of the elections.
He enjoined the media practitioners and CSOs to take the training seriously, so as to inform and educate the populace on the need to vote in credible leaders and that vote count during the elections.
Journalists and the CSOs were informed on the key provisions and issues of the Electoral Act 2022 and the use of the Bimodal Accreditation device BIVAS and voter education.
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