Media practitioners have been advised to ensure accurate reportage and advocate for peace before, during and after the conduct of the June 18 and July 16 2022 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states respectively.
A media expert, Mr. Wale Fatade, who gave the advice said journalists need to play their roles effectively for the survival of the nation’s democracy.
Fatade who described them as critical and strategic to the attainment of needed electoral reform in the country spoke at a 3-day training tagged Election Process Reporting, organised by Media Support Centre for journalists operating in the two states ahead of the polls.
He said, “Journalists are very critical to the reformation of our electoral system because of the roles they play. That is why they have to be wary of politicians who may want to induce them with money on the day of election to pervert fairness and justice.
“Your reports must be one that will promote unity and cohesion. Your reports must be one that will promote the good values in our elections and expose the evils being perpetrated by some politicians, so that we can have elections that are credible”
An investigative journalist, Mr. Mikhail Mumuni, also enjoined newsmen to always verify their information in order not to heat up the polity by misinforming the public.
“Journalists are part of the society, if anything untoward happens to the society, it will also affect journalists and journalism as well. Our job is to stick to all the issues beyond the personalities involved.
“The issue of credible reportage of elections is very crucial. Our role in reporting elections is very crucial, because we exist as the medium or vehicle to tell people, readers, viewers, and listeners what exactly is happening in the election period.
“You must ensure that all sides are reflected for the public to ascertain from our reports whether the integrity of the entire electoral process has been compromised at any level or not.
On his part, Mr. Martins Alamu, urged media practitioners to desist from any act that could tarnish their image by adhering to the ethics of the profession at all times.
