2027: NUJ tasks journalists on ethical reporting, issue-based campaigns

From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, Comrade Usman Mohammed Binji, has urged media professionals to uphold ethical standards and conflict-sensitive reporting as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Binji made the call on Monday in Sokoto during a paper presentation titled “Hate Speech, Non-Violence, Shared Responsibility and Ethical Reporting During the Campaign Season.”

The event was organized by International Alert Nigeria to mark the International Day of Peace.

While noting that political campaigns are integral to democratic processes, Binji warned that election cycles become volatile when characterized by hate speech, misinformation, ethnic and religious profiling, and political violence.

“The challenge is not to avoid difficult political stories, but to report them accurately, fairly and responsibly,” Binji emphasized.

Drawing on the theories of Norwegian peace scholar Johan Galtung, the NUJ Chairman noted that true democratic peace requires positive peace—built on justice, equality, and citizen participation without fear of intimidation. He added that a healthy democracy must accommodate robust criticism, investigative scrutiny, and public accountability.

Binji clarified the critical boundary between legitimate journalism and hate speech, referencing the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.

“Criticism of government policies, public officials, and governance failures based on facts remains legitimate journalism.

“Hate speech becomes a concern when communication moves from criticism of policies to attacking people because of who they are—particularly through ethnic or religious stereotyping, dehumanisation, collective blame, and incitement to hostility or violence,” he noted.

Addressing the growing challenges posed by digital technology, Binji cautioned against the speed-driven spread of misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated deepfakes.

He reminded reporters that speed should never compromise verification, advising media practitioners to distinguish facts from allegations, avoid sensational headlines, safeguard vulnerable sources, and promptly correct errors.

Invoking the non-violence philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, he stressed that while political disagreement is natural in a democracy, violence is not.

He urged journalists to refrain from glorifying violent incidents or amplifying rhetoric that could incite reprisals.

Concluding his address, Binji stated that peaceful political communication is a collective responsibility shared among political parties, media outlets, security agencies, civil society, and the general public.

“As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, media organisations must strengthen fact-checking, political parties must enforce internal rules against hate speech, and campaigns must focus on policies and records rather than ethnic and religious identities.

“We must remain fearless but responsible; critical but fair; independent but accountable. Let our reports inform rather than inflame,” Binji said.