INEC/NUJ Workshop: Journalists Charged To Uphold Professionalism, Live Up To Expectations In Face Of Changing Realities Towards 2023 Elections

By ThankGod Emeh…

The National Leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have charged Journalists and media houses to put in all forms of professionalism in their election reportage.

They were as well charged to live up to expectations in the changing processes and system of voting as introduced by the Electoral Umpire in the forthcoming 2023 general elections across the country.

The NUJ in collaboration with INEC gave the charge in a workshop organized for South East Journalists on “Conflict -Sensitive Reporting and 2023 General Election”, at the new NUJ Press center, off Port Harcourt Road Owerri, Imo State.

The workshop which had notable journalists as well as media practitioners and election Stakeholders in attendance featured lecture series alongside questions and answers session where Three papers were delivered viz: “The Electoral Act 2022 and the 2023 General Election”, delivered by INEC Director, Legal Drafting, and Clearance Department, Mrs. O. O. Babalola, represented by Barr. Uche Okorie, HOD Legal, Imo INEC, “INECs New Technologies for 2023 General Election”, delivered by Raymond Ofuonye, and “The Media and the 2023 General Election”, delivered by Chief Fidel Onyeneke former Imo NUJ Chairman and National Trustee.

In attendance were the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, the National Secretary of NUJ, Shuaibu Usman Leman, Executives of Imo State Council of NUJ, Reporters, Media Chief Executives and other Stakeholders.

Also in attendance were the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye, represented by Mrs. Chinwe Ogbuka, Deputy Director Publications, INEC Headquarters, Abuja, INEC Director, Legal Drafting, and Clearance Department, Mrs. O. O. Babalola, represented by Bar. Uche Okorie, HOD Legal, Imo INEC, and other officials of INEC.

According to a Communique issued and Signed by the Communique Drafting Committee namely Charles Nwankwo, Vivian Iwu and Chucks Anyanwu; the workshop harped on “the role of Journalists to facilitate easy access to information that will enhance participation in governance and ultimately enable citizens make informed choices during the election, which includes being active partners in the implementation of the development processes, since Journalists are veritable instruments and should be central to any input-output functions of any political system”

It also emphasized “the need for Journalists and the Media to be conversant with the processes and procedures of INEC, as well as the dynamics that play up in the conduct of Elections, in order to report Election issues bearing conflict – sensitivity, national peace and cohesion in mind” while further stressing “the need for the Media to always seek for official clarification on germane and serious national issues, especially when Electoral matters are involved”

The communique further captured that “Journalists are charged to avoid unverified “Breaking News syndrome” and casting of sensational Headlines, which have the tendency to undermine the credibility of the 2023 Elections”

It adds “the need for Journalists to be cautious of deliberate falsehood aimed at drawing traffic to particular sites and to avoid tilting of stories towards Religious, Zonal or Ethnic narratives because it is likely to constitute a huge challenge in strategic communication”

The document projected “the need for Journalists to avoid hate speeches, inflammatory and sensational reports, be factual on their reportage, and not rely on social media because most operators of the social media are not trained Journalists”

Other parts of the communique are:

“Journalists should acquaint themselves with Nigeria code of Media coverage, and not shy away from its responsibilities in this crucial period of election”

“Media houses should equip reporters, and provide logistics for their reporters.
viii. Having identified that many Journalists have either lost their lives or had sustained various degrees of injuries or had their equipment damaged, especially during election times, the workshop resolved that there should be a committee that should address Electoral offences in the country”

“However the workshop lauded INEC and the National leadership of NUJ for the timely workshop, pointing out that the workshop has adequately equipped them to efficiently discharge their constitutional duty of reporting the 2023 general elections”

“The workshop recognized the importance of the 2023 general elections to the peace and stability of Nigeria and assure of their readiness to fully partner INEC and other relevant stakeholders for the smooth conduct of the exercise, and commended INEC for accepting to collaborate with the National leadership of NUJ to organize the workshop, describing the workshop as a success, having brought the Journalists and INEC together on the same page, ahead of the 2023 general elections”

“Participants appreciate the commission for its assurances of continual partnership with the Media as key stakeholders in the Electoral process”

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