INEC counsels media to avoid landmines, breaking news, deliberate falsehood
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Avoid landmines and breaking news syndrome in reporting the 2023 ballot, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has counselled media practitioners, so as not to facilitate deliberate falsehood.
INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Festus Okoye made the plea at capacity building workshop in Akure for journalists in the South West on Conflict Sensitive Reporting and the 2023 General Elections.
The programme was organised by INEC and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
“As the country moves closer to the 2023 general elections, there are obvious landmines that the media must avoid,” counselled Okoye, represented by INEC Ondo Administrative Secretary Oyetola Oyelami.
“The media must avoid the breaking news syndrome. Some of the mainstream media are gradually gravitating towards online journalism with the attendant quest for breaking news, which is sometimes not properly verified and processed.
“The media must be circumspect in casting headlines and the thirst for sensational headlines.
“Sometimes, people look at the headlines and conclude without looking at the body of the report.”
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Finding the right balance in reporting
“The media must find the right balance in casting headlines. The media must avoid deliberate falsehood aimed at drawing traffic to sites.
“Deliberate falsehood aimed at drawing traffic to particular sites is a huge challenge in strategic communication,” Oyelami cautioned, per Vanguard.
NUJ National President Chris Isiguzo commended INEC for providing the opportunity to discuss issues about the 2023 election.
“Since the functions of government are clear, in performing these functions, government officials are expected to be honest, responsible, transparent, accountable, efficient in administration and services delivery,” said Isiguzo, represented by NUJ National Trustee (South South) Bimbo Oyetunde.
