Stakeholders in the media industry in North-East have cautioned journalists against sensitional reportage to facilitate credible and peaceful 2023 general elections.
The stakeholders including media practitioners, politicians, unionists and activists spoke while responding to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria on political thuggery in Bauchi, Damatruru, Dutse, Gombe and Yola.
They described media as critical towards ensuring violence-free, fair and credible elections in the country.
Mr Saidu Malala, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Gombe State, said media had a critical agenda-setting role towards promoting peace and harmony in the country.
He said the support of journalists through peace-oriented news would help create a peaceful political atmosphere that contribute to the integrity and credibility of elections.
“Journalists have a duty to report issues that will not fuel violence in the country, even though we have a responsibility to inform the public in a professional manner.
“There are reports that may trigger violence if not handled properly in line with the professional ethics, we must be guided in this regard.
“We need peace not just for election but for our everyday activities, and as critical stakeholders we owe the society reportage that will promote peace and unity,” he said.
While urging journalists to be objective, Malala advised them to be security conscious so as not to become victims of violence or thuggery during electioneering campaigns.
“You must assess the security situation of any event before you embark on any journey to cover events.
“Don’t put yourself in a position where you will be vulnerable in view of the increase in thuggery in Gombe State,” he said.
Also; Mr Rajab Muhammad, the Council Chairman in Yobe, tasked media organisations to shun airing programmes capable of disrupting peace ahead of the 2023 elections.
He noted that such inciting programmes were against the ethics of the profession, and stressed the need for media practitioners to be objective as enshrined in the NUJ constitution.
“Reporters and sub-editors should aim at objectivity while dealing with political stories. They should not allow their personal bias or ideas to creep into a story.
“They should not take sides but try to present divergent views to achieve balance in their reportage,” he said.
Muhammad also urged politicians to avoid desperation in politics, adding that do-or-die politics is inimical to the entrenchment of democratic governance.
In his contribution, Shettima Ja’afar, Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Borno, attributed thuggery to desperation exhibited by some politicians.
He said it was good for the media to sanction airing incitiful and vulgar language by politicians during their campaigns.
This, he said, was necessary towards ensuring hitch free election, adding that, “the media as major stakeholder should not be promoting contents that will jeopardise the process.
“Reporting hate speech by the media will create tension and violence if not handled with caution”.
According to him, the Agency in collaboration with other stakeholders will creat a forum for collective action towards violent-free election.
The NOA official blamed spate of thuggery in the country to misuse of social media by some self-seeking elements.
“The conventional media are trying, and regulated to some extend unlike the social media. It is being used to spin news, spread falsehoods and hate speech capable of breeding violence”.
He enjoined the youth to shun misuse of social media and participate actively in the process to ensure peaceful election.
He further advised politicians and political parties to prioritise consultative engagement to promote internal democracy and encourage growth of democratic culture.
In the same vein; Mr Ishaka Dedan, the NUJ Chairman in Adamawa, said the Council had sensitised media executives and journalists on the dangers associated with sensational reportage.
He said the Council had adopted effective mechanism to ensure that media organisations and journalists run their services in line with professional ethics and guidelines governing their operations.
Similarly; Dr Abdullahi Mohammed, a lecturer, Department of Mass Communications, Adamawa State Polytechnic, stressed the need for the journalists to be apolitical, neutral and objective in their reportage.
“Media houses should base their content on credible sources and not to report something that might constitute threat to corpotrate existence of the nation.
“When it comes to announcement of election results, they shouldn’t preempt the electoral umpire,” he said.
Moreso; Mr Sabo Mohammmed, a Bauchi-based political analyst, identified fake news as a bane to effective journalism.
He said the role of the media in agenda setting calls for caution and application of professional in discharging its constitutional mandate.
“Journalists need to be meticulous in sifting stories that are true and those that are false, used in achieving certain ends,” he said.
For his part, David Ayodele, a veteran journalist, said the media plays significant role in ensuring fair, objective, balance and proper investigation of news materials.
“You have a responsibility to be credible, professional and you must be residual of standard by setting a professional code for others to follow, especially during electioneering campaigns,” he said.
This, he said, is necessary for the sustenance of the country’s nascent democracy and political stability, adding that the media must be used positively for societal good rather than destructive purposes.
While urging journalists to be fair and objective in reporting election processes, Ayodele also tasked them to show more decorum and professionalism in reporting security and humanitarian issues.