Kogi Guber: IPC Executive Director Tasks Journalists on Accurate Reportage

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Ahead of November 11th governorship election in Kogi State, the International Press Centre (IPC) has warned media practitioners in Kogi State not to set the state on fire.

It also urged journalists to always verify and fact check the integrity of information before rushing for publication.

The Executive Director, IPC, Lanre Arogundade, gave the warning while speaking at a two-day workshop capacity building for journalists in Kogi on misinformation, disinformation and need to verify and fact check the integrity of an information held in Abuja, at the weekend.

Arogundade, explained that this was the first leg of the three training designed for journalists from the broadcast, print and online media involved in reporting electoral processes across the three states where off-cycle polls would be held come November 11, 2023

“The concern about information integrity has always been at the core of IPC’s interventions and engagements to promote what we at IPC call good journalism.

“It was the concern about the threats to information integrity at elections that led IPC to spearhead the development and adoption of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage, which provides comprehensive and detailed guidelines on the obligations of equitable access, social responsibility, credibility, avoidance of hate speech and conflict-sensitivity.

“It is good to note that all the umbrella media professional bodies and associations endorsed the Media Election Code. In further pursuit of our objective, this workshop has been designed to play a

significant role at equipping us with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure that the electoral processes of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States are credible, inclusive, transparent, and peaceful.”

Speaking further, he said: “Also, we all know, elections are intricate processes that lay bare differences within a society, and as a result, easily bring about tensions.

“Therefore, it is essential that we take action to prevent and respond to conflict and the potential for violence.

“IPC believes that the introduction and launch of the Iverify in Nigeria, which was discussed by the Executive Director during his presentation would not only serve as a veritable tool for verifying information and checking facts, but can also

prevent the spread of disinformation and misinformation, which can lead to electoral violence.

“Although IPC is leading Iverify in Nigeria, it is significant to note that the network consists of relevant stakeholders such as Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ICPR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Nigeria Press Council (NPC), the Nigeria Union of

Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) through which some of you were nominated to participate at this workshop.”