IPC Host Media, Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Credible Elections in Edo State
2 min read
By Joy Richardson
Benin City- The International Press Centre (IPC) has held a crucial dialogue and interactive forum aimed at fostering credible and peaceful elections in Edo State. The two days event, which began on July 4, 2024, at the Edo Heritage Hotel, Benin City, brought together journalists, media professionals, and other key stakeholders to discuss strategies for ensuring a free and fair electoral process.
As part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN II) project, with IPC as the lead partner, the forum is dedicated to enhancing the role of the media in the upcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21 2024. About 50 stakeholders, including journalists from broadcast, print, and online media, participated in the event.
In her opening speech, the programs manager of IPC, Stella Nwofia, emphasized the fundamental role of elections in any democratic society. “Elections are the bedrock of democracy,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure that all relevant stakeholders perform their duties with a heightened sense of responsibility and accountability to the public. This dialogue is a step towards fostering an inclusive, free and fair election process that is devoid of disinformation and misinformation.”
She stressed the importance of the media in upholding these values, highlighting the need for journalists to report accurately and impartially to maintain public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
The Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, underscored the necessity of fact-checking and unbiased reporting during elections. “Fact-checking and unbiased reporting are critical,” he stated. “Journalists have a responsibility to provide the public with accurate information, especially during elections, to prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure a well-informed electorate.”
Taiwo Obey, the director of the Journalism Clinic, highlighted the crucial role of knowledge and thorough investigation in journalism. “Knowledge is the most important thing you need to have as a journalist,” he explained. “Our business as journalists is to find answers to questions and to question the answers until there are no further questions to be asked. This thoroughness is essential in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.”
The dialogue also focuses on the recommendations of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUOM) regarding media performance during elections, highlighting the importance of information integrity and adherence to electoral regulations such as the Electoral Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, and the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage.
Participants had the opportunity of engaging with institutional stakeholders, including representatives from the Edo State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo State Police Command and Edo State National Orientation Agency. These discussions emphasized collective responsibilities and the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure journalists’ safety and a violence-free election in Edo state.
As the Edo State governorship election approaches, this dialogue marks a significant step toward reinforcing the media’s pivotal role in upholding democratic values and ensuring a credible, transparent and peaceful electoral process.
