'Vote Not Fight Ogun' urge Journalists, social media enthusiasts, others against promoting violence in election reportage
Posted by WNP | 2 years ago | 873 times
Media practitioners have been urged to guard against publishing news stories that could fuel violence before, during and after the 2023 general election.
The advice was given at a virtual training organised by the Ogun State Vote Not Fight held on Sunday 30th October.
Speaking on the theme, "Media as an aid to de-escalate election violence in Ogun state," Ahmed Iyanda, a Media Practitioner and a member of the Ogun State Vote Not Fight steering committee, stated that the training is to equip journalists, students, social media enthusiasts with requisite skills to report professionally in the pre-election, election and post-election period.
Ahmed also added that the media play a very significant role in the strengthening of democracy.
He said, “the media roles and responsibilities during the election process are as important as the sanctity and will of Nigerians, expressed through the ballot box.
It is expected that this training will help participants to understand and imbibe the principles of fairness, diversity and objectivity in reporting the electoral process," Ahmed said.
Ahmed noted that the media tend to promote peace, urging journalists to embrace the best Professional standards and practices, especially in the build-up to the forthcoming general election.
"Media is the Fourth Estate of the Realm who help in guaranteeing peace, stability and progress in the country," he added.
He, however, urged the participants to be mindful of fake news or publications on social media capable of inciting hatred, division, violence and chaos in the country.
Earlier, the state Coordinator of Vote Not Fight, Obasanjo Fajemirokun expressed his appreciation to the participants for attending the virtual training, adding that the training was meant to introduce the activities, aims and objectives of the campaign.
"Vote Not Fight is a campaign designed to increase the participation of youths, men, women and People with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria’s political and electoral processes by promoting peaceful and constructive youth engagement with political stakeholders, electoral umpire and security agencies before, during, and after elections," Obasanjo said.
