Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Journalists have called on Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure safety of media professionals before, during, and after the elections.
Participants at the capacity building workshop on conflict and sensitive reporting and the 2023 general elections for working journalists in Kano State made the call in a communique issued at the end of the one-day workshop held at Ten To Ten Restaurant in Kano on Wednesday.
The communique was signed by the Chairman and Secretary Drafting Committee, Abubakar A. Dangambo and Hadiza Muhammad respectively.
The participants, drawn from the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and various media organisations in the state, resolved to work closely with other relevant stakeholders to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
They also called for continuous training and retraining of media professionals for effective reportage of political activities including elections.
The participants further called for continuous collaboration with relevant bodies for voter education and sensitisation.
While ensuring fair and objective reportage in the coverage of the 2023 general elections, using the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act, as amended, the communique urged media professionals to avoid casting sensational headlines and fake news breaks in their reportage of campaigns and elections.
“The professionals then advised fellow journalists to distance themselves from dangerous situations and occurrences during campaigns and elections,so as to be safe and alive to write their stories,” the communique stated.
In addition, the communique urged journalists to develop themselves and update their knowledge on happenings around Nigeria and the world for effective discharge of their duties.