As preparations intensify for the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States, media professionals have been urged to exercise caution in their coverage of the exercises to avoid inflaming tensions and exacerbating conflicts.
The appeal was made by stakeholders in the media and political sectors, at a Webinar titled: ‘Conflict Sensitive Reporting and Election: Best Practices and Ethical Considerations,’ organised by the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in collaboration with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme.
They stressed the importance of responsible journalism in ensuring peaceful, credible elections, while highlighting the critical role journalists play in shaping public perception during the electoral process.
In her presentation on Conflict Sensitive Reporting and Elections with Focus on Governorship and Presidential Elections, the executive-in-charge at Media Mentors Leadership Academy, Joke Kujenya listed the following as the fundamentals of conflict-sensitive reporting (CSR): balance, accuracy, avoidance of stereotypes, minimising harm, and consistency.
In addition to stressing the importance of accuracy, justice, and impartiality in reporting, Kujenya issued a warning that sensationalist or biassed reporting could exacerbate tensions in already politically tense situations. According to her, conflict-sensitive reporting makes sure that journalism maintains ethical standards while promoting peace and stability by carefully covering events, especially elections, to avoid escalating tensions and conflicts.
Since Edo is still one of the most sensitive states in the South-South and the nation as a whole, Kujenya urged reporters to report the polls objectively. She emphasised the value of conflict-sensitive reporting, pointing out how it lowers the likelihood of violence and conflict escalation, guarantees fair and balanced coverage of all parties involved, aids in the promotion of peaceful discourse, shields journalists from becoming targets, and increases public confidence in the media and journalists as core professionals.
Kujenya stressed that journalists could have reduced tensions by focusing on issues-based reporting rather than amplifying inflammatory statements or perspectives. Citing data, she observed that roughly 80% of news items focused on non-programmatic issues like election logistics, campaigns, and political intrigues. She continued, “Journalists could avoid sensationalism capable of inciting violence by highlighting policy debates, peaceful initiatives, and solutions.”
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Secretary and Deputy Chairman of the Joint Action Front, Achike Chude, stated in his presentation titled “Ethical Considerations and Best Practices for Journalists During Elections Reporting” that it was the duty of journalists to report on electoral matters in order to accurately inform the electorate.
Chude posited that since elections affect the standard of living, the safety of people and their possessions, and the accountability and responsibility of those holding political power, media covering elections at the national or local levels need to pay close attention. “Issues of elections are critical to the development of any country. As such, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society groups and the media must forge a healthy synergy to ensure successful conduct and reportage of polls.
“Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some security agencies and the electoral body sometimes collude with unscrupulous politicians to undermine the electoral process. To that extent, journalists are usually caught up in the middle of electoral violence, but they (reporters) must ensure their safety first and be very knowledgeable about the laws that govern elections at any point in time,” Chude said.
Chude emphasised that in order for journalists to cover elections successfully, they must be fully aware of the political affiliations and mindset of political gladiators. They also need to be aware of security protocols regarding timing, people movement, and the handling of sensitive electoral materials.
The executive director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, who was represented by CAPPA’s senior programme manager, Abayomi Sarumi, explained that the idea for the webinar was to equip journalists with vital knowledge that could help them professionally cover elections, especially the forthcoming ones in Edo and Ondo states.
He said, “We believe as an organisation that the media plays a key role in the direction that elections take. This webinar is done under the European Union Sustainable Development For Democratic Governance in Nigeria. “We’ve had a series of engagements with journalists across the country from representative states in the six geopolitical zones.
“We’ve also had webinars covering different issues including the security of journalists, conflict sensitivity, and how to ensure that the democratic process becomes robust and expansive enough to allow for a sustainable transition across states and also at the national level. But for this conversation, we’re specifically looking at the ethics and other considerations that we should have as journalists to help the people of Edo state to make informed choices, and to ensure that the way we report elections does not trigger conflict.”