Lekan Yusuf, Ibadan
The International Press Centre (IPC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has called on journalists to prioritise professional ethics, fact-checking, issue-based reporting and democratic accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call was made during a two-day interface on Professional and Democratic Accountability Journalism Ahead of the 2027 General Elections, organised under the European Union-funded Support to Media in Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) project.
The training, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, was conducted in two phases, with Monday, October 12, dedicated to practitioners in the broadcast and print media, while Tuesday, October 13, focused on online media practitioners.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, represented at the event, emphasised the need for journalists to strengthen their capacity to provide credible, balanced, inclusive and public-interest information as the country prepares for another general election.
Arogundade noted that elections go beyond political campaigns, rallies, candidates and the announcement of results, stressing that they also concern citizens’ aspirations, concerns and expectations of leadership.
He urged journalists to move beyond event-driven coverage to substantive, issue-based and citizen-centred reporting that examines campaign promises, interrogates political policies, monitors the performance of elected officials and ensures that citizens’ voices are heard.
According to him, responsible electoral journalism requires accuracy, fairness, verification and conflict-sensitive reporting, warning that sensationalism, unverified claims and the spread of misinformation and disinformation could undermine public confidence, deepen social divisions and weaken democratic institutions.
He also stressed the importance of giving adequate attention to critical issues such as the economy, education, healthcare, security, employment and infrastructure, while ensuring that women, young people, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups are included in electoral discourse.
The IPC executive director further urged media practitioners to strengthen their verification skills amid the growing influence of digital platforms, noting that fact-checking must remain an integral part of responsible journalism.
He also called for the protection of journalists’ safety, professional independence and freedom to carry out their legitimate duties without intimidation, harassment or unlawful interference.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ, Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Babatunde Abas, commended the IPC for organising the engagement, describing it as a timely initiative to prepare journalists for the responsibilities associated with the 2027 electoral process.
Abas urged journalists to move beyond reporting political rallies, defections and campaign promises, emphasising the need to interrogate candidates’ manifestoes, verify political claims and track campaign promises against measurable government actions.
He maintained that citizens deserved reliable information on issues affecting their daily lives, including security, education, healthcare, unemployment and the economy.
The NUJ chairman warned that speed must not take precedence over accuracy, sensationalism must not replace substance, and political interests must not compromise professional judgment.
He also emphasised the importance of conflict-sensitive reporting, urging journalists to use language that promotes peaceful participation rather than inflaming political tensions.
Abas said the Oyo State Council of the NUJ remained committed to professionalism, ethical standards and journalists’ welfare, adding that the council had promoted capacity building in digital journalism and artificial intelligence, responsible reporting, fact-checking, editorial independence and compliance with the NUJ Code of Ethics.
He noted that a well-trained, ethical and adequately supported journalist was better equipped to serve the public interest.
The NUJ chairman further urged participants to listen to citizens, identify their priority concerns, amplify their voices and deploy accountability scorecards to assess political promises and monitor government performance.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among the IPC, NUJ, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and media organisations would help position the media as a stronger force for transparent, responsive and accountable governance.
As part of the engagement, Abas announced plans by the NUJ Oyo State Council to honour Arogundade at the grand finale of the council’s 60th anniversary celebration scheduled for November 7, 2026, in Ibadan.
The recognition, he said, formed part of the council’s Diamond Jubilee celebration, themed “Oyo NUJ @ 60: Celebrating the Past, Defending the Present and Shaping the Future,” in acknowledgement of Arogundade’s contributions to press freedom, professional journalism and media development.
Abas called on journalists to approach the 2027 electoral process with courage, fairness, accuracy and professionalism, stressing that their responsibility extended beyond reporting elections to helping protect the integrity of the democratic process.
He urged practitioners to verify every claim, follow every promise and scrutinise the performance of political officeholders, adding that credible journalism remained essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
The engagement provided an opportunity for journalists to reflect on their professional responsibilities, share experiences and explore practical approaches to improving electoral reporting across print, broadcast and online media.
The IPC expressed appreciation to the NUJ Oyo State Council for its support, the resource persons for their contributions and the European Union for funding the project.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen media capacity, promote democratic accountability and encourage responsible journalism as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
