
IMO NOV 11 GUBER: DON’T BE USED BY POLITICIANS TO CAUSE CRISIS — MEDIA EXPERTS ADMONISH JOURNALISTS
REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU
Media professionals in Imo State have been advised to avoid sensationalism and focus on issues that will promote peace before, during and after the November 11 Governorship Election in the area.
The Executive Director of a nongovernmental organisation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, (CAPPA), Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, gave the charge during a two-day capacity building workshop organized for journalists and media executives in Owerri.
He admonished members of the fourth estate of the realm to be objective in their reportage, engage in fact-checking and close ranks with the electoral umpire to ensure a smooth conduct of the election.
Mr. Oluwafemi appealed to media executives to make their platforms available to all the candidates participating in the election but should avoid being used by politicians to raise unnecessary tension as such could trigger violence.
The Executive Director International Press Center, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, while speaking on Election and Conflict Sensitive Reporting, said journalists should not only collaborate with institutions of government to promote peace but should go further to use the media to douse tensions in the event of crisis.
An Associate Professor of Journalism with the Lagos State University, Dr. Tunde Akanni, while speaking on “Conflict and Drivers of Conflict,” cautioned the media to be wary of external influence, who specialize in inciting violence, especially during elections.
He noted that journalists must verify every information before dishing out to the public.
Other speakers, Ms Zikora Ibeh and Aderonke Ige, called on media professionals covering the election to get acquainted with the electoral laws and to also provide the electorate with the platform that will aid them to make informed decisions at the poll.
Some of the participants, Mrs. Angela Nkwo-Akpolu of the Leadership Newspapers, Mr Chris Njoku of the Nation Newspapers and Miss Nkoli Chukwumaife of the African Independent Television, who spoke with Radio Nigeria, expressed gratitude to the organisers.
They said that the workshop, which focused on peaceful and non violent elections, had further enriched their knowledge.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU