INEC abhors censorship, Yakubu tells media practitioners

• Says openness is antidote against fake news

• As 1,255 journalists are accredited to cover Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo guber elections

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has appealed to the media practitioners in the country to form a bulwark against fake news.

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu made the appeal on Thursday at the quarterly consultative meeting with the media at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Saying that INEC does not believe in censorship, Prof Yakubu pointed out that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and regular and consistent engagement with stakeholders.

He assured therefore INEC will continue to work together with the media in this regard.

According to INEC Chairman, “I wish to remind all media organisations to strictly adhere to the ethics of your profession.

“We welcome reports on the election.

At the same time, you should form a bulwark against fake news.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission does not believe in censorship.

“We have said repeatedly that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and regular and consistent engagement with stakeholders.

“We will continue to work together in this regard”, he said.

The INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission’s updated statistics show that 94 media organisations, deploying 1,255 personnel, have been accredited for the elections.

He assured that in the next few days, the accredited media organisations will be notified of the date for the collection of the identity cards for their officials.

Continuing, the INEC Chairman said, “Similarly, you may recall that at our last meeting, we promised to share with you our plans and preparations for the off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States scheduled for Saturday 11th November 2023.

“I am glad to note that many of you here today are either directly involved in the coverage of the election or deploying teams of journalists to the three States.

“In fact, our updated statistics show that 94 media organisations, deploying 1,255 personnel, have been accredited for the elections.

“In the next few days, the accredited media organisations will be notified of the date for the collection of the identity cards for their officials”, he assured.

Responding on behalf of the media executives, the Director News, Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mrs Husseina Bangshika, pledged the continued collaboration of the media to INEC.

Bangshika commended INEC for its sustained collaboration with the media, noting that the commission had come to understand that media is integral to the country electoral process and her democracy.

He enjoined the commission to continue to engage the security agencies on the safety of journalists in the coming elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa.