A virtual conference (webinar) organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) has canvassed the imperative for the safety of journalists as preparations for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections peak .
The conference, tagged; ‘Edo/Ondo Elections: The imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage’, was a collaborative effort of ACSPN and IPC to promote professionalism and protect the professional interests of journalists during the forthcoming Edo/Ondo election.
Executive Director, IPC, Lanre Arogundade who noted that the webinar was held under the component 4b: Support to Media platform of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), which IPC has been implementing since the past three years, said the key objectives of the webinar were “to strengthen the capacity of the media to engage in the professional, ethical, issue-oriented, gender-sensitive, inclusive sensitive and conflict-sensitive reporting of the electoral processes and elections.
“We have chosen to organise this one with a specific focus on the imperative of safety consciousness and conflict sensitivity in media coverage of the two elections because of the prevailing circumstances in the two states. In the area of safety, we are looking at how journalists could avoid getting in harm’s way in the course of their legitimate duties amid the general concern that the elections could turn violent as pockets of violence are already being recorded here and there particularly in Edo State’’.
“.. In the area of conflict sensitivity, we are looking at how journalists could contribute to the peaceful conduct of the elections by embracing the principles and guidelines of conflict-sensitive journalism,” Arogundade said.
He advised journalists covering the two elections to study relevant publications, particularly the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, as well as the new Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi emphasised the readiness of INEC, adding that the logistics was in place while the electoral officers have been trained.
“To be sure, INEC is ready for the (Edo) election. Indeed, we are determined to conduct the election despite the current difficult circumstances. Out of the 14 activities listed in the timetable that we released in February, we have carried out 12. The only two left are the deadline for campaigns – 17th September and the election proper slated for 19th September.
“All the logistics needed for the election have been taken care of. The non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the 18 local government areas of the state. Our Electoral Officers, their Assistants, and Supervisory Presiding Officers have been trained. Officers nominated by the various security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) have also been trained and their actions will be guided by the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty. To that extent, regardless of the not-so-pleasant experiences Journalists might have experienced with security agents during elections in the past, they should be rest assured of a good experience this time around.
Dr. Aliyu of Bayero University, Kano in her paper titled, ‘Electoral Conflict and Media Coverage: The Need for Conflict Sensitive Reporting in Edo/Ondo Elections, , stressed the role of the media in curbing violence during the elections adding that an effective and efficient media coverage is the solution.
Dr. Clinton Okonye, of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, advised journalists to be health conscious when covering elections under COVID-19 by observing safety protocols.
In attendance were the ACSPN President and Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Umaru Pate, IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade,; Executive Director, Institute of Media and Society (IMS), Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi; IPC Programme Officer (Safety of Journalists), Mrs. Melody Akinjiyan Lawal, Medical Officer, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Dr. Clinton Okonye, and ACSPN Vice President, North-West and Lecturer, Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Rugayyah Aliyu.