By Kemi Yesufu, Abuja
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahood Yakubu has warned against political actors releasing fake results before the official announcement by the Commission during the upcoming elections.
He spoke at a training workshop on “Safety of Journalists and Conflicts Sensitive Reporting Ahead of Nigeria’s Election”, organized by the International Media Support (IMS), Media Foundation for West Africa (MAWA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He said: “The commission is worried about fake news and possibility of releasing results that are not genuine. INEC is worried that some mischievous persons may cash in on the avalanche of fake news and release results that are not from INEC before the announcement of the authentic result by the commission”.
On the issue of fake news and reporting unauthenticated elections results, Mahmood appealed to journalists, bloggers and citizen journalists to always confirm information concerning elections from information managers in the commission.
The INEC chairman who was represented at the training by Assistant Director Broadcast Media at the Commission, Mr. Emeka Ogbuaja, also announced that the ban on the use mobile phones inside the polling booth is still in force so as to prevent vote buying.
“We are therefore appealing that all information be confirmed from INEC. The chairman’s phone lines are open; his Chief Press Secretary’s phone lines are also open and all the directors and assistant directors are on standby to respond to queries”, he assured.
The INEC chairman further assured that INEC in collaboration with security agencies have put in place measures to ensure the safety of journalists, voters and other stakeholders on election day.
Former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Mr. Bayo Atoyebi, challenged journalists to maintain a high level of professionalism and neutrality while covering the elections.
Atoyebi who presented a paper titled “Covering Elections: Ethical Consideration and Challenges”, equally stressed the dangers of sensationalism.
Also speaking on the importance of professionalism for election reporting, board member and trainer, Media Foundation for West Africa, Prof. Kwame Karikari stressed the need for neutrality and objectivity.
This is as he stated the need for the media and security agencies, especially the police to engage in honest dialogue on maintaining a safe and secure atmosphere for all stakeholders to participate in the elections.
In his welcome address, president of the Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo , assured that the union was working to ensure that its members adhere to the ethics of the profession in the coverage of the election.
He further disclosed that the NUJ was committed to the safety of journalists during elections and challenged security agencies to protect journalists and desist from harassing or molesting the media during the exercise.
On her part, journalism professor and representative of the International Media Support, Ms. Michelle Metz described the role of journalists in the conduct of election as critical, adding that the safety of reporters on the field is important.
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