The International Press Centre (IPC) has deployed a WhatsApp-enabled, artificial intelligence-assisted incident reporting system to enable journalists to report threats, assaults and other press freedom violations in real time during the Osun State governorship election.
The Executive Director of the IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, disclosed this in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday ahead of Saturday’s election.
Arogundade said the system, known as WAFLO, was designed to facilitate the real-time reporting, documentation and monitoring of incidents affecting journalists and press freedom during the election.
He described the deployment as a pilot initiative aimed at promptly identifying and responding to electoral incidents involving journalists and other media professionals, including assaults, threats and other infringements on press freedom while carrying out their electoral duties.
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According to him, the system would subsequently be upgraded and expanded for full deployment during the 2027 general elections.
He said the primary goal of WAFLO was to ensure that incidents affecting journalists did not go unnoticed or unreported by providing a practical mechanism for stakeholders to quickly identify threats, assaults and other violations and take appropriate action.
“The overarching objective of WAFLO therefore is to strengthen the safety of journalists and ensure that they can carry out their professional responsibilities without fear during the Osun election and subsequent ones,” he emphasised.
Arogundade said journalists could access the reporting channel through the Safemedia WhatsApp platform by visiting https://dub.sh/safemedia or by sending the word “safemedia” via text message to 0805 877 8053.
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He explained that the system would complement and reinforce existing safety initiatives, including the Safety of Journalists Desk managed by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer, on +234 707 854 382, and Bukola Obajuo, Safety Monitoring Officer, on +234 814 633 3108.
The IPC Executive Director encouraged journalists to make use of the safety advisory hotlines and adhere to the guidance contained in the IPC Safety Advisory.
He also advised journalists to ensure proper accreditation and carry their identification cards, press tags and other relevant credentials at all times during the election.
Arogundade further urged security agencies, political actors, election stakeholders and other relevant authorities to respect journalists’ rights to perform their constitutional and professional responsibilities without intimidation, harassment or undue interference.
The initiative is supported by Component 4 of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two Programme, implemented by the International Press Centre and the Centre for Media and Society in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
