The need to assure the integrity and credibility of the 2023 general elections was the focal point of discussion at a training workshop where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) resolved to collaborate in combating fake news and ensuring the menace does not hamper the 2023 polls.  

The One-Day Capacity Building Training on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting for Journalists in the South-South aimed at strengthening professionalism during the forthcoming polls, which held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was jointly organized by INEC and NUJ.

In his welcome address, National President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo while expressing his appreciation to INEC for the opportunity of mustering efforts aimed at ensuring the 2023 polls was not only free, fair and credible but also professionally reported in the Media, stated that “the Media is an essential factor in fostering democracy”.

“Let me first of all express the gratitude of my Union to INEC for providing this opportunity to discuss issues bordering on the 2023 general election in the country. 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.

Isiguzo, who was represented by the Chairman of NUJ Rivers State Council, Stanley Job, noted that deepening professionalism and ethical values in reportage of elections was cardinal to promoting democracy and development, stressing that the Media monitors governance, ensures public sector accountability and serves to mobilize the citizenry to perform their civic duty of participating in the electoral process.  

“For us as Media professionals, we see it as a cardinal objective to promote democracy and development and, therefore, we shall continue to work with INEC to ensure that democracy works properly in the country.”

“The Media, regarded as the fourth estate of the realm, is an essential factor in the process of democracy. They do not only monitor governance and make government accountable, but also help to mobilise the populace to participate in the process of governance and development.”

On his part, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye said the Media should avoid the ‘breaking news’ syndrome in order to combat fake news reportage which, according to him, may incite conflicts in the country.

“The Media must avoid the ‘breaking news’ syndrome. Some of the mainstream media are usually gravitating towards online journalism, which is a quest for breaking news, which are sometimes not properly verified in process.”

Represented by Tony Ashibuogwu, the INEC National Commissioner urged the Media to be circumspect in casting sensational headlines with the aim of drawing traffic to their virtual platforms, pointing out that some impatient readers may deduce the wrong meanings from such headlines and run with them to cause avoidable crisis, adding that INEC will continue to partner with the Media in combating misinformation.

“The Media must be circumspect in passing headlines and the quest for sensational headlines. Sometimes, people look at the headlines and draw conclusion without even reading the main content of that news. The Media must avoid deliberate falsehood aimed at drawing traffic to their sites.”

“The Commission will continue to partner with the Media, not only as the key stakeholders in the electoral process, but also as a viable tool for combating misinformation and malicious falsehood.”

The workshop had in attendance the South-South Vice President of NUJ, Opaka Dokubo, amongst other dignitaries and about 22 journalists drawn from various media organizations, including Kristina Reports Correspondent, Confidence Biebara.