By Joy Odor
The National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Member, Information &Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Professor Kunle Ajayi has bemoaned on issue of fake news, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech that poses a serious threat to the election process in Nigeria, saying if not nipped in the bud, fake news can become the bane of election management in Nigeria.
He made this known in his speech at the two day Capacity Building for INEC Press Corps on Ethical, Safety Practices and Critical Issues Relating to the Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa Governorship Election organized INEC in partnership with the INEC Press Corps, and DAI in Akwanga, Nasarawa State on Monday
According to him, the Commission’s distasteful experience with fake news in the 2023 General Elections, affirming that the alarming prevalence of misinformation, fake news, hate speech, and the weaponization of disinformation has become very worrisome to the Commission.
Ajayi informed that disinformation is used to provoke religious, political, and tribal sentiments in an already polarized society such as ours, especially, during election season, which is often the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.
The IVECl National Commissioner said the election-related disinformation has become a major strategy used by nefarious individuals and groups in the political space to manipulate the general public to their advantage, regardless of the consequential effect such propaganda may have on the peace and stability of the electoral process and the country at large.
“Consequently, to create an environment of peace where the electorate feels safe and free to come out to exercise their franchise on election day, we, therefore, appeal to the media in general to be objective and unbiased in their reporting and avoid fake news and inflammatory and sensational news” he said.
Ajayi challenged the media to commit to delivering thorough, verified, and unbiased information, pulled from credible sources to the public and at the same time, refrain from reporting information that encourages divisions or antagonistic discussions, which are likely to incite violence or endanger social life.
“In essence, in reporting the activities of the Commission; pre-election, election, and post-election activities, we plead with the media to be factual, objective, and professional in their reportage.
“Journalists covering the elections should on no account, interfere with the processes and procedures of voting or in any way distract the attention of Presiding Officers in the performance of their duties” he stressed.
“This strategic workshop is very apt, coming ahead of the scheduled off-cycle Governorship elections holding on the 11th November, 2023. The coverage and reporting of electoral processes in Nigeria are particularly delicate, considering the uniqueness and sensitivity of election management generally. This is because elections, particularly so in Nigeria, are perceived as very high-stakes game, so much so that some people negatively tag it as a “do or die affair.
“Hence, while reporting on election matters, members of the 4th Estate of the Realm must address these issues with a deep sense of professionalism, journalistic ethics, and high standards. Elections in Nigeria are consistent with periods of heightened media coverage and reporting. With each political party striving to win the election so as to govern the country. Election periods are therefore often charged with “war” of words, political, religious, tribal, and ethnic sentimental divides, which sometimes result in heating up the polity.
The media space is one of the primary mechanisms for such electioneering dynamics.The role of journalists is therefore particularly critical during election processes. The Commission has a long-standing partnership with the media in the country, which is being consolidated with an engagement such as this” he said.
The IVECl National Commissioner promised that INEC as an electoral body, would remain transparent in all its activities and consequently communicate all relevant information to the media and admonished members of the INEC Press Corps to be safety and security conscious in covering elections.
He maintained that in the areas that are marked as high-risk locations, INEC Press Corps should ensure they have their media-accredited tags at all times, and establish a cordial relationship with the security agencies, as we are all equal stakeholders in the effort to ensure a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election.
Ajayi encouraged all participants to pay rapt attention to the workshop and contribute their diverse experiences from their agencies to this discussion.
“When necessary, feel free to fact-check any considered grey areas for clarity from the Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) Department of the Commission.
“Bayelsa and Kogi have pockets of flood-prone areas with high water levels, for those to be deployed to such areas, please endeavour to have your life jackets as part of your essential field gear” he noted.
In his welcome Speech, the Chairman of the INEC Press Corps, Segun Ojumu opined that accurate and unbiased reporting is vital to ensure transparency, public trust, and the credibility of the electoral process and essential that members of the INEC Press Corps are adequately equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfil their roles effectively.
Ojumu said by improving their skills in ethical reporting and enhancing their safety awareness, the workshop will contribute to the overall integrity and fairness of the electoral process, saying the commitment of the Corps to professional and ethical reporting is essential to the success of our democracy.
“As you are aware, the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa scheduled for November 11th hold significant importance for INEC and the nation as a whole. This workshop will be a comprehensive training program designed to address the key issues faced by journalists covering elections. I am confident that this workshop will significantly contribute to the professionalism and effectiveness of the INEC Press Corps.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and the entire INEC management team for their support for this workshop. I would also like to thank the IVEC Chair and Directors and Deputy Directors, the DG of the Electoral Institute as well as the DAI, for their contributions” he expressed.
