The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, says the media is crucial in ensuring a credible electoral process as it prepares for the Kogi and Bayelsa state governorship elections.
INEC’S director of publicity and voter education Oluwole Osaze Uzzi stated this in Abuja at a training programme on election reporting and safety organized by DAAR communications plc, an initiative which received the commendation of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC.
In an environment where attacks on journalists have become all too common, elections in Nigeria have become high-risk situations for most practitioners Ahead of the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections, DAAR Communications is prioritizing the safety of practitioners and professional reportage of the electoral process.
This is the focus of this training programme which had representatives from INEC and the broadcast regulator, NBC.
INEC’s director of voter education and publicity Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi noted the critical role of the media in ensuring accountability by all key actors and commended the initiative by DAAR Communications the INEC official assured that the commission will do all it can to provide an enabling environment for journalists.
At a time when fake news is very prevalent, the national broadcasting commission sees the steps taken DAAR communications as worthy of emulation, emphasizing the need for professional coverage and reportage of elections the FCT Director of the NBC also commended DAAR for its professionalism in its operations.
Participants are hopeful that the lessons will be of tremendous value as they go into the field the training programme is an initiative of the editorial board of DAAR Communications which has become a leader in the election and political coverage in Nigeria.
