Elections Reportage: Women Journalists charged with Accountability & Fairness
Amina Mohammed, Lafia.
Women journalists in Nigeria have been charged with accountability and fairness in their reportage as the 2023 general elections build up.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Mrs. Ladi Bala, gave the charge during her welcome remarks at the opening of the two-day Skill Enhancement, Capacity-building and Mentoring session for female journalists in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The training was held as part of the activities under Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN II) project of which IPC is the lead partner in collaboration with NAWOJ.
It was aimed at building a strong democratic culture and institutions that enhance the conduct of a free, fair, credible and acceptable election in Nigeria.
Bala further urged women journalists to be in the vanguard of promoting women’s issues, gender inclusivity and discouraging gender marginalization in the electoral process and after the elections.
“This training is aimed at exposing participants to effective tools for countering fake news, disinformation, and misinformation.
“From the foregoing challenges, providing accurate and verifiable information to help promote a sane society is a task that must be upheld by journalists in the country.
“In light of this, the need to scrutinize and fact-check information has become highly imperative,” Bala stated.
She, however, called on journalists to open up for new ideas and skills that would help stand out and promote a peaceful electoral process and good governance.
