As Ekiti State prepares for its governorship election on June 20, journalists have been urged to uphold professionalism by verifying information and avoiding baseless claims, assumptions, and misinformation that could mislead the public.
The call was made by former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, during a training programme organised by Adamimogo 107.7fm,Ido-Ekiti for Journalists in the station.
Speaking at the session, Ojomoyela stressed the importance of accurate, objective, and unbiased election coverage, noting that facts must always take precedence over speculation and unverified information.
According to him, journalists covering the election should remain neutral and focus on reporting only what they personally observe at polling units.
“You must be as neutral as possible and maintain every sense of professionalism while covering the election. Your essence in that place is to observe what is happening at the polling unit and report accordingly what you have observed. The reality you see is what the public wants to know,” he said.
Ojomoyela added that journalists should also pay attention to unusual incidents at polling units, including issues affecting Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), while ensuring their reports align with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“When reporting issues concerning PWDs, you must have at the back of your mind the provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly regarding how persons with visual disabilities are expected to vote,” he added.
The former NUJ chairman further advised journalists to prioritise their personal safety while carrying out their duties during the election period.
“Prioritise your personal safety. If you drop the mic, another person will pick it up. So, be safe. If you notice any conflict, keep yourself safe and report from a safe distance,” he cautioned.
Also speaking at the training, Bureau Chief of Daily Independent newspaper, Alhaji Yakub Popoola, identified journalists’ responsibilities during elections as falling into three stages: pre-election, election-day, and post-election coverage.
He charged media practitioners to discharge their responsibilities diligently and professionally while taking necessary precautions to ensure their safety throughout the electoral process.
