As the country moves closer to the 2023 general election, media organizations in the country has been called upon by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to avoid the breaking news syndrome in their reportage
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Committee, Festus Okoye, said this in Bauchi at a One-Day Capacity Building Training for journalists on election conflict-sensitive reporting skills in collaboration with INEC and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.
Mr Okoye who was represented by Deputy Director Voter Education and Enlightenment Nasiru Zakari Mohammed of the National Headquarters of INEC
stated that the media is a critical stakeholder in the political process, stressing that for democracy to thrives, the need for effective information flow cannot be overemphasized.
He also called on journalists to ensure they mobilize the electorates to participate in the electoral process through awakening in them the consciousness of taking ownership of the political process for Giving vent to the programmes and activities of the Election.
According to him, media professionals at this electioneering time, must see the need to do away with sensational reporting to attract undue attention.
He added, “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 be aware and understand that preparations for elections, the conduct of elections and the resolution of electoral disputes are in a class of their own and cannot be discussed and analyzed from a generic point of view”.
In his address, the National President of NUJ, Chris Isigueze represented by National Secretary of the union, Shu’aibu Usman Leman, stated that the role
of Journalists in the proper functioning of a democracy cannot be ignored, adding that their “watchdog” role should be centered on unfettered scrutiny and discussion of the successes and failures of politicians , governments and the electoral management body.
The NUJ President urged Journalists to inform the public of how effectively the politicians have performed and help to hold them to account, adding that they should scrutinize the electoral process itself, in order to evaluate the fairness of the process, its efficiency, and its probity.
According to him, “elections constitute a a basic challenge to the media, putting their 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” .
Speaking also, The Bauchi State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Umar Saidu, commended the effort of the two bodies for coming up with the initiative, adding that it will go a long way in keeping Journalists abreast with trends in electoral coverage and ethics of reporting elections activities .
He said, “as the country moves closer to the 2023 general election, there are obvious Headlines 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”
