2023: NUJ, INEC hold capacity building for journalists on election reportage in Ebonyi

From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) have organized a one-day capacity building for Journalists in South-East on Conflict Sensitive Reporting and the 2023 general elections.

The workshop took place at Monabliss hotel and suites in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on Tuesday.

Speaking at the workshop, the National Commissioner, and Chairman Information and Voter Education, INEC, Barrister Festus Okoye, said reporting election needed to be handled with an eye on conflict sensitivity, national peace and cohesion, and required special skills and understanding of the centrality of election to Nigeria’s survival as a Federal democracy, where incontrovertible facts devoid of speculation, grandstanding and political maneuvers are more likely to be more helpful.

Okoye said the work of the Commission and the conduct of electoral business had national security implications, hence the need for Journalists to be cautious of their reportage ahead of the 2023 general elections.

According to him, this is simply because one false report that goes viral may have the potential of triggering a breakdown of law and order in a part or the whole of the country.

Okoye said: “It is in the interest of the country for the media to always seek for official clarification on germane and serious national issues, especially when electoral matters are involved, instead of relying on the opinion of unnamed “highly placed officials” of the Commission and those of a National Commissioner that does not want to be named’. Delivering on free, fair, peaceful, safe and credible elections must be seen and viewed as a shared responsibility and partnership between agencies, Commissions and branches of government and in this multi stakeholder venture no one should be left behind.

“The media must hold a balance between all the contending parties and candidates. Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022 is categorical that State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election and section95(3) of theAct also provides media time shall be allotted equally among the political parties or candidates at similar hours of the day.

“As the country moves closer to the 2023 general election, there are obvious landmines that the media must avoid. The media must avoid the breaking news syndrome. Some of the mainstream media are gradually gravitating towards online journalism with the attendant quest for breaking news, which are sometimes not properly verified and processed.

“The media must be circumspect in casting headlines and the thirst for sensational headlines. Sometimes, people look at the headlines and draw conclusions without looking at the body of the report. The media must find the right balance in casting headlines. The media must avoid deliberate falsehood aimed at drawing traffic to sites. 

“Deliberate falsehood aimed at drawing traffic to particular sites is a huge challenge in strategic communication. Rumors and falsehood are sometimes very difficult to manage. “We know that they will deny it”, “They are denying because they have been caught some of the challenges in communication. The media must avoid titting of stories towards religious, zonal and ethnic narratives The Commission keeps holding the balance in terms of communication to avoid ethnic and religious narratives

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) will continue to partner with the media, not only as a key stakeholder in the electoral process but also as an viable tool for combating misinformation, fake news and malicious falsehood. The Commission believes that the antidote to fake news and misinformation is greater openness and transparency. By working closely with the media and availing it of all relevant facts that need to be in the public domain, and timeously too, the Commission is strengthening the media to play its constitutional role in a democracy.”

The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo, in his remarks, said “NUJ believes that for the masses of this country to actively participate in the democratic process, the media itself must be strengthened to ensure that some of the mechanisms through which community empowerment can be achieved are put in place, and this includes the unhindered access to information, and proactive initiatives like this with INEC which is aimed at strengthening the way and manner Journalists perform their work during election times.”

Represented by the National Secretary, Mr Shuaibu Leman, the National President called on the Security agencies to gaurantee the safety of Journalists in the upcoming general elections. 

“In the course of their work over the years many journalists have either lost their lives or had sustained various degrees of injuries or had their equipment damaged especially during election times. Nothing or little is done to ensure accountability for attacks on journalists and the media in Nigeria, thus the culture of impunity for such attacks persists. It is important for Stakeholders to work towards minimizing these.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that the indispensable functions of the media cannot be performed without the guarantee of the safety of Journalists and media workers. Without doubt, the safety of Journalists is absolutely essential to the Civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of all citizens as well as the right to development,” he said.

He further called on Journalists across the country to avoid hate journalism and fake news, as they were capable of destroying the society.

Mr Isiguzo also thanked  INEC “for providing this opportunity to discuss issues bordering on the 2023 General Election in the Country”, saying, “we are appreciative of the support from INEC over the years which indicates the kind of transparency and accountability required in an Election Management Body.