PORT-HARCOURT, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The International Press Centre (IPC) with support from the European Union-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN ll), has urged female journalists to focus on accurate reporting and fact-checking as the 2023 general elections draws closer.
The two-day skill enhancing and capacity Building/Mentoring Workshop for Female Journalists is being held in Rivers State is in partnership with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ).
This training is aimed at exposing female journalists to the rudiments of effective reportage and mentorship preparatory to reporting the electoral process.
The Executive Director of the International Press Center (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade in his welcome remarks, urged female journalists to become change agents.
Speaking at the flag off of the Capacity Building Workshop which started on Monday, 7 November, 2022, he enjoined female journalists to provide credible information by doing proper investigation, that will result in proper reporting.
Arogundade advised them to make drastic efforts in combating fake news, provide voter education to the public, and inspire other forms of media engagements, to encourage the underrepresented group like women, youths and persons with disabilities, to vote.
Speaking also, the Deputy Editor, Africa-Check, Motunrayo Joel, said journalists should always fact check information already in the public domain, stressing that “people need access to accurate information to make well informed information.”
In her presentation on “Factual Accuracy and Combating Fake News: The Place of Fact Checking and Data Use in Reporting of 2023 Elections,” Mrs. Joel said journalists should know if the report to fact-check will make impact in the society or would it put lives in danger.
Making a distinction between misinformation and disinformation, she urged journalists to check the facts of every information, sources, and examine the evidence to properly guide the public.
Also, Dr. Titi Osuagwu, a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, said it is the responsibility of the journalists to penetrate certain areas to bring out information during elections, adding that it is “those at the margins that has the truth.”
In her presentation on “Electoral Processes and 2023 Elections: According Priority to Issues of Women and Other Underrepresented”, she urged female journalists on the need to sensitize the women and underrepresented group as they constitute a vital component of the society.
Dr. Osuagwu further encouraged journalists to always fact-check quotes to avoid attacks.
Another resource person, Mr. Taiwo Obe, in his presentation titled “Impactful Reporting of Electoral Processes and 2023 Elections: Focusing on Issues and Telling Stories”, noted that the purpose of journalism is for the journalist to be part of his or her story, especially in the investigative reporting.
Obe, the Founder of Journalism Clinic, said journalists should endeavor to give people the information they need to enable them make better decisions about their lives and society.
Noting that journalism is about asking questions and questioning the questions you have answered, Obe urged journalists to be vigilant and alert while reporting.
In her remarks also, the President of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ms. Ladi Bala urged female journalists to rise to the occasion of protecting and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy in the build up to 2023 general elections.
She described the event as a dream come true for NAWOJ particularly, the Rivers State Chapter.
Her words: “This laudable effort of EU is commendable and a clear testament of its commitment in building a strong and virile media space that will go a long way to strengthen democracy and promote good governance.
“As the conscience of the society, people depend heavenly on the media for the right information to help them understand and make better and more informed opinion and positive contributions towards shaping a better society.
“That way, the society will be better served based on correct decision making and implementation of enhanced action plan.”
She thanked the organizers for their efforts and concern towards the upliftment of female journalists in the country, especially the IPC and the European Union (EU), for investing in the development of Nigeria society and media professionals in particular.
The workshop which was funded through component 4b: Support to the media of the EU support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria 11 project, was the response to NAWOJ’s several engagements with the EU development partners.
As Nigerians move closer to 2023, the speakers generally agreed that the critical role of the Journalists in the conduct and promotion of peaceful electoral processes in Nigeria is key and must not be handled carelessly.
Meanwhile, participants were drawn from the South-East, South-South and the South-Western part of the country.