Men of the Nigerian press have stressed the need to ensure the safety of media professionals and adequate security for a successful 2023 general elections.
Participants at a capacity-building workshop on conflict and sensitive reporting and the 2023 general elections for working journalists in Kano State made this appeal on Wednesday.
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They also issued a communique at the end of the one-day workshop held at Ten To Ten Restaurant in Kano.
The communique was signed by the Chairman and Secretary of Drafting Committee, Abubakar A. Dangambo, and Hadiza Muhammad respectively.
The participants, drawn from the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and various media organizations in the state, resolved to work closely with other relevant stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2023.
They also called for continuous training and retraining of media professionals for effective reportage of political activities including elections
The participants further called for continuous collaboration with relevant bodies for voter education and sensitisation.
They urged stakeholders to ensure fair and objective reportage in the coverage of the 2023 general elections, using the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act, as amended.
The communique urged media professionals to avoid casting sensational headlines and publishing fake breaking news in their reportage of campaigns and elections.
“The professionals then advised fellow journalists to distance themselves from dangerous situations and occurrences during campaigns and elections, so as to be safe and alive to write their stories,” the communique stated.
In addition, the communique urged journalists to develop themselves and update their knowledge of happenings around Nigeria and the world for the effective discharge of their duties.
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