By Amos Odhe
As the Ondo State Gubernatorial election holds this Saturday, November 16, 2024, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos- Nigeria, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, has tasked journalists and other media persons to adhere to professional standards while also being conscious of their safety.
The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said the admonition became necessary in the light of the critical role that the media plays during electioneering processes and growing concerns over journalists’ safety in recent times.
“Though this election is an off-cycle one, it does not reduce the fact that it still falls under the purview of media electoral responsibility. For the contestants and their gladiators, it is an election, which is by no means of less value than any other election, so the atmosphere within the State where the election will take place will reflect basic and essential activities associated with the conduct of an election. It is therefore very important for journalists covering the election to be guided by the existing ethics of professional coverage of elections as well as to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties, especially to avoid situations that will put them in harm’s way”, he said.
Arogundade also said that journalists are expected to be non-partisan by maintaining objectivity and balance in the coverage of the election adding that partisanship is not only about being a member of a political party, but also includes the use of expressions and/or impressions with statements, tags, symbols and colours that portray or identify with a particular political party or personality.
He also admonished journalists covering the election to be well kitted.
“Journalists who are to cover the election should ensure that they are fully kitted and accredited to do so, in order to avoid situation wherein security agencies would have to question them or bar them from performing their duties. Journalists, who are not on election duty, should avoid straying into the identified polling units at will during the stipulated period of the election. At all times, journalists covering the elections must have their identification card and press/media tag clearly displayed to avoid undue harassment and unnecessary identity checks by the security agencies,” Arogundade said.
He also enjoined, other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake the performance of their tasks in a civil and responsible manner.
“The security forces should note that the media is a critical part of the electoral process and so the journalists should be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them carry out their social obligations as partners in enshrining the credibility of the electoral process. The media should be seen as partners in progress and not as adversaries”, Mr. Arogundade added.
IPC has a safety and professional advisory for the purpose of ensuring journalists who are covering the elections are fully equipped with safety tools and precautions to engage with while on the field.
