The Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) has challenged media organisations to proceed to be the bulwark towards pretend information, misinformation and disinformation.
Chairman of the fee, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, gave the cost on the third quarterly consultative assembly with the media preparatory to the Edo and Ondo states governorship elections in Abuja on Wednesday.
He reminded the media of their obligation as journalists to report factually and precisely concerning the election and electoral actions in compliance with the ethics of their noble occupation.
Yakubu urged them to expedite motion by making certain that each one media organisations submitted their purposes earlier than the deadline of Thursday fifth September 2024.
The INEC chairman stated that this may allow the fee to provide and ship the accreditation tags for his or her reporters, digicam operators, technical and different assist workers in good time for the election.
“Because the Edo state governorship approaches, I want to remind media organisations that the portal for media accreditation (https://imap.inecnigeria.org) continues to be open.
“As at 8.02am right now, Wednesday thirty first July 2024, 24 media organisations representing print, radio, tv and on-line have uploaded the main points of 227 personnel for the election” he stated.
Prof Yakubu defined that the fee was involved concerning the security of media personnel and tools simply as they’re concerning the safety of their very own officers, observers, service suppliers and, above all, the voters.
“We can even work with the safety companies to make sure that accredited journalists are granted unimpeded entry to all voting and collation places.
“I urge you to completely adjust to the Nigerian media code of election protection.
“Equally, you might be required to adjust to the INEC tips for media accreditation accessible on our web site www.inecnigeria.org. It’s now 51 days to the Edo state governorship election arising on Saturday twenty first September 2024.”
Nationwide President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, described the Supreme Court docket judgment that granted autonomy to native governments as a main stride in direction of strengthening Nigeria’s democracy on the grassroots degree.
“I might additionally prefer to take this chance to weigh in on a major current growth – the Supreme Court docket judgment which granted full autonomy to native authorities administrations. This landmark ruling is a serious stride in direction of strengthening our democracy on the grassroots degree.
“Native governments are the closest tier of presidency to the individuals, and their autonomy is essential for efficient governance and a serious stride in direction of strengthening our democracy on the grassroots degree. Their autonomy is essential for efficient governance and growth.
“Nonetheless, for this autonomy to be actually conclusive and impactful, there’s a want for constitutional amendments by the Nationwide Meeting. Particularly, the related sections of the structure needs to be amended to empower INEC to conduct elections for native governments throughout the nation.
“At the moment, INEC enjoys constitutional authority to conduct nationwide and sub-national elections. Extending this authority to incorporate the third tier of presidency will guarantee uniformity, credibility, and effectivity within the electoral course of,” he stated.