Amby Uneze in Owerri
The forthcoming November 11 governorship election in Imo State has continued to heat the political space as the International Press Centre (IPC) drilled Journalists in the State on professionalism and role of engagement towards covering the polls successfully.
The body also urged journalists to abide by the contents enshrined in the ethical codes; the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage; Electoral Act; and the relevant hand books to avoid sensationalism, fake and unverified reportage.
The Executive Director of the IPC, Lanre Arogundade, represented by the Editor, Nigerian Democratic Report (NDR), Ayp Aluko -Olokun, disclosed this yesterday during the opening ceremony of a two-day media training tagged "Media Roundtable/Engagement on Imo Governorship Election" held at the Rockview Hotels, Owerri.
He regretted that going by the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage, journalists covering an election should be mindful of their footsteps and stages of the electoral events for their informed decisions.
He said, "Journalists in Imo State should abide by the ethics of the profession, according to the contents of the relevant hand books prepared by the IPC. Be safe and don't run into trouble," and regreted some ignoble ways some journalists abuse the practice of the profession.
In his speech, a Programme Officer of the IPC, Melody Akinjiyan, listed the thematic areas to cover in the training programme, adding "we are here so that we can brainstorm and exchange ideas on how we can effectively play the role expected of the media in the electoral and democratic process universally agreed.
The media should: Relay the information citizens require to enable them make informed judgments, Monitor government and others and reveal abuses of political power. Report politics day-to-day as well as during election campaigns, Provide information about registration and voting, Crystalise the main currents of public opinion; Give a voice to wide a range of interest groups; Provide the forum within which the public debate takes place."
Other resource persons, Taiwo Obe, and Angela Agoawike, gave talks on "Impactful Reporting of the Elections: Focusing in People-Interest issues and telling stories that matter," and "Bringing the gender perspective to bear on the reportage of Imo Governorship Elections," and others.
Journalists expressed satisfaction over the workshops which they described as "very impactful towards successful coverage of future elections."
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