By Samuel Atuluku
Elections the world over are an integral part of the democratic process.
It is therefore unarguable that the Media, as the fourth estate of the realm with its functions fully embedded in the Nigerian Constitution, has the responsibility of contributing positively to the success of elections.
To this end, a Non Governmental Organization, Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) on Tuesday held a one-day Media Engagement for Broadcast Journalists ahead of the off season Governorship election in Kogi State scheduled for November.
Part of the objectives of the training was to empower media professionals for electoral coverage, devoid of bias, and effectiveness as well as ensure that Civil Society Organizations and relevant stakeholders demand transparency and accountability during the election.
To attain these lofty objectives among others, the media plays very significant roles in setting agenda, sensitize, shaping opinions and exposing ills where they exist in order to right the wrong and bring about free, fair and credible election.
Happily, the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) in partnership with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, (EU-SDGN) deemed it fit and expedient to equip the media with the needed skills ahead of the Governorship poll.
Obviously, the impulse of such intervention at this crucial moment cannot be over emphasized, especially when viewing ugly experiences of past elections.
Speaking at the event in Lokoja, the Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society, Doctor Akin Akingbulu said the move by the organization was in consideration of the role of the media in a democratic setting.
According to Doctor Akingbulu, the success of elections could be measured by the positive contribution of the media and urged the participants to see their calling as important by living above board in their chosen career.
In an online presentation, Kaneeng Rwang Pam who spoke on her vast experience, called for more attention to the vulnerable groups such as women and the people living with disability.
Kaneeng noted that it was the role of the media to do more in order not to disenfranchise such groups during election, appealing also that an enabling environment be created for media professionals for optimum performance.
Equally, in his presentation on Keeping Continuous Voter Education within the Boundaries of Regulation, former Acting Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Professor Armstrong Idachaba observed that the media should do all within her powers to democratize the electoral process, explaining also that there must be sanctions on broadcast outfits to ensure the processes are not abused.
Idachaba, a Professor of Mass Communication, emphasized that voter education was central in any election and advised journalists to be sensitive in their contents.
Facilitator of the training and former Director General of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Adeku Adava who is the CEO, Target Communication, enjoined media executives to show greater commitment to sensitization during elections.
At this juncture, it is suggestive that viewing from the various presentations, Broadcast stations with scattered and heterogeneous audience are at best in the position to educate the people on electoral issues such as voting pattern among others.
Very sacrosanct too, is the safety of media professionals at election periods, bearing in mind that the journalist must live to tell the story, a reason relevant stakeholders must evolve means and ways to salvage the situation if fairness and accurate reportage is anything to go by.
On this note, the position of the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution, CHRCR, Idris Miliki that security agencies should beam their search light on flash zones and trigger zones should not be jettisoned.
The submission of Idris Miliki buttresses the fact that safety is key in any society, after all, humans must exist before the leaders lead.
While the media continue to improve in discharging its constitutional obligations to the citizens, it is important also that security personnel must remain apolitical, the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not left out.
It is when these partners are resolved on doing the right thing that the aspiration of free, fair and credible election can be realized.
The Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, should be commended at this juncture for the bold initiative, while others are advised to follow the sterling example since there can be no end to knowledge.
The dream for successful Governorship election in Kogi state should be the aspiration of all in other to entrench an enduring democracy.