Take Over Social Media Space To Provide Public With Credible Information – Stakeholders urge Journalists
By Vasty Bala Jonah
Ahead of the 2023 general election, Journalists in the North-East, Nigeria are admonished to take over the social media space to provide the public with credible news and information in order to counter the activities of unprofessionals.
Our Correspondent reports with this those that have tagged themselves as social media Journalists and are polluting the society with unverified information thereby promoting fake news and hate speech, would be reduced.
Speakers at a one-day capacity building workshop for Journalists in the North-East region with the theme; Sensitive reporting and the 2023 general election organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday at the Community Education Resource Centre Gombe, gave the admonition while presenting their papers.
The National commissioner on Voter Education and Publicity Barr. Festus Okoye, who was represented and the National Secretary of the NUJ Shuaibu Usman Leman, urged Journalists to provide platforms for citizens to engage with political parties and beam their light on government activities to ensure that promises made during the campaign are fulfilled.
The duo advised the participants to be cautious of breaking news syndrome, avoid sensational headlines and ensure balanced reportage especially at this crucial time of electioneering, in order to promote peace, unity and the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
The speakers urged the Journalists to take the sole responsibility of their safety and leave a hostile environment immediately in order to live to tell the story.
The State Commissioner for Information and Culture Meshach Audu Lauco, who commended the organisers of the workshop, said with unbiased reportage by Journalists, especially during electioneering period, litigations would be reduced, calling on the media practitioners to be objective, neutral and uphold the ethics of the profession.
On the NUJ press centre project, the Commissioner said the ministry is aware of the project and would ensure its completion in order to encourage Journalists to put in their best.
The state INEC Resident Commissioner Umar Ibrahim, who was also represented in his goodwill message, stated that the media play key roles in election and conflict management as it shapes the perception of the people, urged Journalists to promote issue-based campaigns to assist the electorates make informed choices during the election.
In her remarks, a participant, who doubles as State Secretary of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Abigail Kolo, described the workshop as timely, “the workshop has equipped Journalists with more knowledge on how to go about their duties ahead of the elections,” Kolo said.
