2023 POLLS: SECURITY HEADS TASK ANAMBRA JOURNALISTS TO BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS, ENSURE FAIR REPORTAGE
REPORTERS: UCHE NDEKE & SOMTO MMAJU
As the 2023 general election draw near, journalists have been urged to be fair and accurate in their reportage to avoid hitting up the polity.
Resource persons and security experts made the call while speaking on safety reporting at a one day capacity training organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council held at Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka.
Journalists are said to be part of the endangered species that are exposed to occupational hazards, especially during an electioneering period in Nigeria.
This informed the decision by the NUJ Anambra State council to organize a one day training for some of its members so that they will get first hand tips on how to go about their constitutional role without risking their lives and also ensuring that they are objective in their reportage during such period.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr. Echeng Echeng, in a message cautioned journalists against publishing news items in an unfriendly manner, notimg that they should rather always strive to promote national interest.
Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer I’m the state, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Commisioner explained that it was unethical for a journalist not to give credible and accurate information about happenings and events they witnessed.
The Anambra State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Isidore Chikere, represented by a Deputy Commandant of the Agency, Mr. Yakubu Alada, pointed out that in the period of electioneering, journalists must apply safety first in all their engagements, adding that fake news had caused a lot of damage to nation building.
For his part, the State Director, Department of State Security, who was represented by the Head legal department, Mr. Joseph Okechi, noted that media practitioners should always be conscious of their safety while embarking on any assignment and consider being alive to deliver the report.
A Cyber Security Expert, Mr. Chinonso Okoye, called on journalists to stop living their lives on social media and be very careful about sites they visit while doing their duty online to reduce cyber attacks against them.
The Labour Party Senatorial candidate for
Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh, urged journalists to always stand by the truth and refuse to be compromised while having the instinct for self preservation.
Contributing, the Fire Chief of the state, Mr. Martin Agbili, represented by the officer in charge of fire risk reduction, Mr. Chukwuemeka Okpagu expressed the agency’s readiness to work with journalists in sensitizing the public to safety tips.
Earlier in their opening remarks, the NUJ Chairman, Anambra State, Dr. Emeka Odogwu, and the Chairperson of the NUJ Committee on the Training Lady Ukpa Ewa, said it was imperative to enlighten media practitioners on how to maintain safety while carrying out their duties, especially now that the elections were drawing closer.
They noted that journalists must rise to the occasion of protecting and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through fair, accurate, ethical and inclusive coverage of electoral processes in the country.
The theme of the training is “Media Safety in Election coverage and Disaster Management.”
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
