By: Abraham Chungch
Ahead of the upcoming November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday 22nd October, 2024 trained reporters, producers, and on-air personalities in a bid to acquaint media professionals with various new electoral guidelines and credible reportage of the process.
The one-day media training engagement, organized by INEC, themed “Forum for Reporters, Producers, and On-Air Personalities Ahead of the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election,” included representatives from various media houses and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite.
The event which was interactive and held in Akure, the state capital, focused on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and its usage, the role of the media and INEC in the electoral process, voting procedures, INEC’s level of preparedness, the legal framework under the Electoral Act 2022, and the online accreditation of media organisations.
The forum acknowledged INEC’s level of preparation and the media’s role in educating voters about the need to exercise their franchise on election day, while also urging unbiased reportage.
Declaring open the engagement, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, described media’s roles in shaping public opinions and disseminating information as unquantifiable, serving as a vital bridge between the electorate and the electoral process.
Olumekun who was represented by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, pleaded for the support of the media in ensuring a peaceful, free, fair, credible, and all-inclusive election that meets the aspirations of the stakeholders especially voters of the state.
Olumekun, enjoined media professionals to guard against fake news and ensure professionalism before, during and after the election.
The National Commissioner assured the commission’s readiness to collaborate with security agencies to ensure the safety of all participants in the election.
In her remarks, the REC in Ondo state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, also appealed to media houses to use their platforms to positively shape public perception, promote voter education, and uphold the integrity of the election.
She stated that the workshop was organised to provide comprehensive information on the guidelines, processes, and procedures governing the upcoming election, ensuring full compliance with established rules.
The REC speech was delivered by the Administrative Secretary of the Commission in the state, Mr Abiodun Onikate-Amosu, in which she urged participants at the engagement to prioritise the truth, accuracy over sensationalism in report
In his goodwill message, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Prince Leke Adegbite, commended INEC for organising the training engagement, noting that it would equip media professionals with necessary knowledge to cover the election.
Adegbite, who highlighted the spread of fake news and its damaging effects, particularly during election periods, assured that members of the media industry are committed to tackling this menace.
The NUJ Chairman also appealed to participants to step down the knowledge gained at various newsrooms in the state.
Participants were drawn from the print, broadcast and online media professionals.
