2023: Steer clear of sensational reports capable of igniting Nigeria – INEC, NUJ tell journalists

With the 2023 general election drawing close, journalists have been urged to steer clear of sensational reports that could ignite the nation before, during, and after the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, gave the advice during a capacity-building workshop put together for media professionals in Southwest on Monday.

Journalists from various media outlets participated in the training programme with the theme “Conflict-Sensitive Reporting and the 2023 General Election” which was held at the NUJ Press Center in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State.

Comrade Chris Isiguzo, the National President of the NUJ, commended INEC for creating the avenue to debate matters pertaining to the country’s general election coming up in 2023

Isiguzo, who was represented by Comrade Bimbo Oyetunde, General Manager of Radio Nigeria, Bronze FM, Benin City and the NUJ National Trustee (South-South), stated that the media continues to play a role in ensuring that the nation holds legitimate elections.

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“The NUJ believes that for the masses of this country to actively participate in the democratic process, the media itself must be strengthened to ensure that some of the mechanisms through which community empowerment can be achieved are put in place.

Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education, commended the NUJ leadership on the initiative for the training, saying it was timely considering that the nation was nearing the final stretch before the elections in 2023.

The Administrative Secretary, Oyetola Oyelami, who stood in for Okoye, emphasised that there are clear landmines that the media must avoid as the country gets closer to the elections.

Leke Adegbite, the state Chairman of NUJ, expressed gratitude to the union’s National President, for providing the Ondo State journalists with the opportunity to attend the workshop and for all that he has been doing on the union’s behalf.