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By Emmanuel Kehinde, Ilorin
Dr Bakare Adebola of the Department of Political Science of the University of Ilorin has submitted that Nigerian media must ensure peaceful reportage of the upcoming 2023 election.
Adebola stated this during his lecture at the Media Personnel Round table organised by Albarka FM in conjunction with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, under Media Engagement for Development in Diversity and Accountability.
According to him, the three umpires of the 2023 elections includes the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security operatives and the media.
He asserts that by thier functions as watchdog of the society, the media can promote electoral integrity, adding that they should never allow the country slide into anarchy through their reportage.
The political scientist observed that the media has the almighty role of agenda setting and must ensure they bring electorate accountable for their actions and inactions.
“The media by nature are to inform, educate and entertain. They therefore have the responsibility to educate the public about the 2023 elections and mobilize people on electoral participation,” he said.
The expert on politics however observed that bad news travel faster than good, adding that the fourth realm of the estate must avoid sensational reports capable of heating the polity and causing damage to the existence of the nation.
He lamented that already the country is witnessing one of the most polarised and spectacular politics in the country with the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket, political leanings and tribal affiliation, adding that the tension is high and the media must douze it down.
Adebola pointed out that the new electoral act is best thing that can ever benefit the Nigerian masses, said the media should therefore not report anything sensational that can heat the polity.
“It is therefore the responsibility of the Nigerian media to scrutiny the electoral process.
“They must be unbiased and give fair reportage to all parties and candidates,” he said.
He also enjoined all media practitioners to avail themselves of the knowledge of the new electoral act which can aid their effective reports of the 2023 elections.
Also speaking, Dr Rasheed Adigun
the General Manager of Albarka FM, an Ilorin-based radio station explained that the media are guided by ethical consideration in their profession.
He however observed that the media as an organisation are also in the business to make profit and float itself.
Adigun therefore enjoined the media to
always consider ethics of the profession while considering alternative means of getting floating the organisation to function optimally without compromising integrity.
