By Chigozie Igbo Jr
The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have commenced a two-day capacity-building forum in Awka, Anambra State, aimed at promoting ethical reporting, inclusivity, and accountability among media practitioners ahead of the November governorship election in the state.
The event, supported by the European Union (EU) under the Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) programme, brought together journalists, editors, civil society representatives, and security agencies to deliberate on strategies for fair and credible electoral coverage.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, emphasized that a free and independent press remains a cornerstone of democracy and credible elections. He urged authorities and political actors to respect press freedom and allow journalists to perform their constitutional duties without harassment or censorship.
“The courage of journalists who tell the truth must not be punished but rewarded. Restoring public trust depends on the media’s ability to report freely, accurately, and responsibly,” Arogundade said.
He commended the EU for its sustained support to democratic governance in Nigeria, noting that the IPC/EU-SDGN II partnership has enhanced women’s political participation and promoted inclusion of vulnerable groups, with a target of achieving up to 50 percent representation for women in politics.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, described journalists as the “oxygen of democracy”, stressing the importance of creating a safe and enabling environment for media professionals during elections. He said the role of journalists is critical in ensuring transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
A resource person, Dr. Njideka Ezeonyejiaku of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in a presentation titled “Embedding Ethics, Professionalism, Inclusion and Issue-Focused Reporting Before and After the Anambra Governorship Election,” underscored the need for journalists to uphold professionalism and neutrality, noting that ethical and issue-based reporting is vital for credible polls.
The sessions featured interactive discussions on the challenges of credible election reporting and practical measures for improving media performance.
Mr. Arogundade later led a technical session on the Media Election Code of Conduct, journalists’ safety, and best practices for effective election reportage.
Security agencies were also represented. The spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, and a representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) assured participants of adequate security during the election. They urged voters to avoid violence and vote-buying, and appealed to journalists to help promote peaceful participation.
Ambassador Jake Epelle, Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, called for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process. He urged political parties and security agencies to uphold provisions of the Electoral Act guaranteeing their participation and tasked the media to amplify their voices in election coverage.
In his closing remarks, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, commended the organizers for what he described as one of the most impactful training sessions for journalists in recent years. He appealed for sustained collaboration between IPC and NUJ to further strengthen professional development and ethical standards in the media.