Ahead the forthcoming Kogi State Governorship Election, media professionals in Kogi State have been asked to effectively play the role of informing, educating the electorate about all the processes and the offenses involved in the election.
Mr. Taiwo Obe, Founder, Journalism Clinic, made the disclosure at a media training organized for journalists from Kogi State at a media roundtable engagement on Kogi governorship election in Abuja.
The media expert made the disclosure while making a presentation on impactful reporting of the election, focusing on people interest issues and telling stories that matters.
The media training program is organized by the EU-SUPPORT TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA (EU-SDGN 11) COMPONENT 4: SUPPORT TO MEDIA.
The program is being implemented by the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, lead implementing partners of Component 4 (Support to media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria EUSDGN (11) Project, holding at Treasures Suites & Conferences.
Mr. Taiwo said it has become very necessary that media professionals set an agenda for electorate towards ensuring that they have an understanding of electoral offenses and sanctions during the forthcoming November Governorship Election.
Similarly, the media he admonished should educate the electorate on the arrangements put in place for the vulnerable, people with Disabilities, the elderly, time for commencement and close of voting by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
While pointing out that the major role of media professionals in the Kogi Governorship Election should be about issues, agenda setting, cautioned against chasing Press releases and statements from political actors that are not verifiable.
The Media expert urged the media to do thorough fact checking with a view to presenting a balance and professional report that would lead to a credible election in November.
The Kogi State Governorship Election is scheduled for November 11, with the International Press Council insisting that the Media training is to critically examine the expected roles of the Media to be able to interface rightly in reporting fair and balanced reportage of activities for the public to help make informed judgement in the election.