By Ahmed Abubakar
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged the media against reporting of sensive issues that could cause conflict amongst people during the next election.
Stating this weekend at a Round table with Media practitioners on Conflict Sensitive Reporting’ at the Rockview Hotel, Abuja, the INEC Chairman Prof. Attahir Jega said the media should brace itself ahead of the general elections, which he said, may be hijacked by selfish politicians.
Jega who said reporting in Nigeria is very difficult especially when politicians tend to advance ethnic and religious connotations as the front banner of their campaigns instead of issues.
The INEC Chairman who was represented by a director from the commission said, the media on its part need to sieve some of those threats that could translate into generating conflict against disseminating same to the general public.
On his part, Mr Bayo Awosemo in his presentation explained that “conflict sensitive journalist aims to correct biases stating further that it’s operational motive is to allow opportunities for society at large to consider and value non-violent responses to conflict”.
He said an explicit aim of conflict sensitive journalism is to promote peace initiatives from whatever quarter and to allow the reader to distinguish between stated positions and real goals.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
