Media stakeholders sensitize journalists on code of election coverage

Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage, which is a pamphlet containing guides and instructions for journalists on election duty was launched on 30th October, 2014. However, months after the launch of the code jointly by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria […]

Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage, which is a pamphlet containing guides and instructions for journalists on election duty was launched on 30th October, 2014.
However, months after the launch of the code jointly by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), few journalists are abreast of the contents of the code talk less of adhering with its provisions in less than two months to the elections.
The state NUJ Chairman, Mr. Abiodun Abdulkareem emphasized that the workshop was organised to acquaint members of the NUJ with the code of election coverage and prepare them for the forthcoming exercise. “We all have the responsibility as journalists to play our roles as expected of us, by reporting fairly and accurately without any form of bias all the issues relating to the election”, he said.
Former Head of Mass Communication Department, University of Ilorin, Dr. Lukman Azeez who was one of the key note address speakers at the forum enunciates this point, saying democracy is anchored on regular election and no election can succeed without the journalists.
Azeez, who reviewed the key provisions of the code, described it as a laudable initiative aimed at stabilizing the society and using the media to douse the tension and volatility of the forthcoming election. Therefore, he charged the journalists to help the country towards holding a peaceful election; one which would not only stabilize the nation but avert the prediction that Nigeria would disintegrate in the year 2015. According to him, journalists are very central in making sure the country does not destabilize as predicted.   
He said, “Our role in the stability of any society can never be over-emphasized. Now because of election, the role of journalist is very critical. As a matter of fact, journalists or the mass media are central to any democratic process. They are very critical to the democratic process because they provide information that the people need to make an informed choice during the election. You know that democracy is built on regular election, the process by which we select our representatives but this important element of a democracy cannot be successful without the journalists”.
The code contains seven sections in addition to preamble which stipulates the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders especially the Election Management Body during election. Section one which is tagged equitable access bothers on giving equal opportunity to all political parties and candidates to air their views while section two talks about fairness, accuracy and balance which are the journalistic principles obliging journalists to report elections accurately and without bias and in a fair and balanced manner.
Other sections are ethical conduct; hate speech and incitement; conflict sensitivity; and monitoring and implementation.
The Mass Communication scholar enjoined journalists and the media owners to comply with the provisions of the code. He said the journalists must work on truth which is a sacred canon of journalism profession even as he advised them against hate speech and inciting reports, saying, “Our choice of words is very important, we must select our words carefully because the language we use can determine a lot of things, we must be conflict sensitive”.
“The success of this election depends solely on journalists. If it fails, it is the journalists; if it leads to this prediction (that Nigeria would destabilize), we will blame journalists. To make this election peaceful and successful, we should play our roles according to the rules of the game”, he said.
Also delivering a key note address, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kwara State, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo who stated that journalists are allowed to witness the entire process of the elections. You can move around as long as your movement does not interfere with the process of election. You can interview presiding officers or other authorized officials but with their consent”, he said.  He also advised journalists to follow the code to the latter, saying this would earn them respect in the course of their duty.
The state Director of National Orientation Agency, Mr. Felix Olowookere appealed to journalists and media owners to be nationalistic and patriotic by ensuring that the code of conduct was strictly followed. He also admonished them to beam searchlight on trouble makers.