Journalists have been urged to set agenda for politicians and candidates vying for elective positions to enable them appreciate the needs of the people ahead of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Ondo State.
This position including other resolutions formed parts of the decisions reached at a two-day media dialogue organised for media personnel by International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media & Society in Akure, Ondo State capital.
The media, being the forth estate of the realm, is a critical stakeholder in the conduct and outcome of any election not just in Nigeria but across the world .
In furtherance of this critical role, this media dialogue coming less than three months to the Governorship Election in ondo state is to enable media personnel receive some level of schooling on how to use the right tools to steer agenda towards critical issues that will guarantee credible reporting throughout the election process .
Media experts, including the Executive Director, International Press Council, Lanre Arogundade, encouraged participants to report elections with fairness and accuracy in a manner that fortifies the nation’s democracy.
The electoral umpire, INEC and security agencies who were also part of the dialogue assured of credible and violence-free exercise.
Many of those at the event believe that such an interface will help solidify already existing relationship between Media personnel and other stakeholders in the election process.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
