By Joy Odor
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has affirmed to the 94 media organizations that the antidote to combat fake news in the November 11th, 2023 off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States are more openness and transparency.
Prof. Yakubu who made this known on Thursday in Abuja at the Quarterly Consultative Meeting with the Media, remind all media organizations to strictly adhere to the ethics of their profession in discharging their responsibilities during the monitoring of the elections, explaining that a digital modified accreditation Media tags have been printed to security all journalists.
He also challenged the media to form a bulwark against fake news, maintaining that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness, regular and consistent engagement with stakeholders by INEC.
The INEC Chairman informed that 94 media organizations would be deploying 1,255 personnel for the polls, noting that in the next few days, the accredited media organisations will be notified of the date for the collection of the identity cards for their officials.
“Similarly, you may recall that at our last meeting, we promised to share with you our plans and preparations for the off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States scheduled for Saturday 11th November 2023. Iam glad to note that many of you here today are either directly involved in the coverage of the election or deploying teams of journalists to the three States.
“In fact, our updated statistics show that 94 media organisations, deploying 1,255 personnel, have been accredited for the elections. In the next few days, the accredited media organisations will be notified of the date for the collection of the identity cards for their officials”, he assured.
“Election is a multi-stakeholder activity. In discharging our responsibilities, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders. One of such engagements is with the security agencies. In previous elections, media organizations have expressed concern about the safety of journalists, and technical staff and the protection of the equipment you deploy on Election Day. Similarly, you have on several occasions urged the Commission to intercede with the security agencies to grant you unimpeded access to polling and collation locations. I want to reassure you that we will continue to do so as we engage with the security agencies both at the national level and in the three States.
“At the same time, I wish to remind all media organizations to strictly adhere to the ethics of your profession. We welcome reports on the election. At the same time, you should form a bulwark against fake news. For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission does not believe in censorship. We have said repeatedly that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and regular and consistent engagement with stakeholders. We will continue to work together in this regard”, he stated.
Responding on behalf of the Media Executives, the Director News, Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mrs Husseina Bangshika commended INEC for its sustained collaboration with the media, saying the commission had come to understand that media is integral to the country electoral process and her democracy.
He enjoined the commission to continue to engage the security agencies on the safety of journalists in the coming elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa and pledged the continued collaboration of the media with INEC.
