Ahead of the general election, Nigerian Journalists have been urged to uphold to the ethics of Journalism to protect the good image of the profession.
The Programme Manager, African Division, Voice of Nigeria, VOA, Mr. Hamza Mwamoyo made the call at a three day election coverage training organised by US Agency for Global Media, VOA in collaboration with Channels Academy for Nigerian Journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Mr. Mwamoyo called on Nigerian Journalists to provide a free and fair information and avoid using inflammatory language to prevent election related violence during and after the general election.
“As Journalists we are guided by principles while covering the elections to tell the truth, strive for impartiality, to be accountable, objective and provide an equal platform for political parties and candidates to communicate their message to the electorates, and always present a full account of events,” Mr Mwamoyo said.
He also called on Nigerian Journalists to fact check stories in order to uphold the truth of the profession, avoid legal pitfalls and ensure accountability in every story to maintain trust.
The programme Manager, African Division,VOA also urged journalists to avoid collecting gratifications to write or publish the stories.
“Journalists cannot accept payment or gifts from any individual, specific interest group or political organisations in exchange for news coverage, it is a violation of journalistic ethics” he emphasised.
He called on Nigerian Journalists to read the 2022 Independent National Electoral Commission Electoral Law in order to understand more about Laws that guide the journalists; understand the rules and regulations on how to cover election and the use of Biomodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) before reporting or monitoring the election.
Similarly, the MD, Pensville Horizons Limited, Chukwudi Okolie-Ugbaje urged Nigerian Journalists to study the election rules, voting system and electoral laws in order to discharge their responsibility in providing a free and fair election coverage.
“this election is full of mines and your Job is to navigate the mines,” he emphasised.
Voice of Nigeria, Voice of America, AIT, ITV, Channels television are amongst the media organisations that are participating in the training
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