By Archibong Jeremiah
Journalists and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the South-South geopolitical zone have been trained and tasked with conflict-sensitive reporting, 2023 general elections, and countering fake news.
The over 35 participants were charged at a 2-day workshop in Port Harcourt organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
In his welcome remark, the Rivers State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem who just resumed reminded participants that “we have 109 days to the election.”
He noted that a “series of workshops and training has been ongoing in different locations in the country. All these are pragmatic road maps towards ensuring deliverance of free, fair, credible and acceptable elections for the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.”
Mr. Idayat Hassan, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development in his opening remark reiterated the importance of conflict-sensitive reporting and countering fake news ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Represented by Mr. Ihekoronye Damian, Mr. Idayat charged journalists and CSOs to synergize with INEC to ensure elections are peaceful and participatory, adding that “you need to be familiar with what the Electoral Act says.”
In his goodwill message, the Rivers State NUJ Chairman, Mr. Stanley Job urged INEC to get it right by conducting elections that will produce the leaders Nigerians desire.
He asserted that “we need the votes of the people to count, colleagues give the right reports so that we can have a better society.”
The National President of NUJ, Mr. Chris Izibuzo in his keynote presentation titled “Role of the Media in the Conduct of Peaceful Elections” emphasized that “maintain ethical standards as you do your job.”
He said peace journalism is a strong instrument to promote peaceful coexistence and that the role the media play is cardinal in sustaining democracy. The NUJ National President added that “the 2023 general election is important to journalists, NUJ is keen to ensure professional standards are maintained.”
Mr. Franklin Ani, Rivers State INEC Legal Officer presented a paper on key issues in the Electoral Act, 2022. Ani’s colleague, Mr. Essien Effiong who is the ICT Officer demonstrated how the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) works.
Mr. Mark Usulor, a Deputy Director and River State Head of Voter Education and Publicity led a plenary session on vital voter education and communication issues and concerns. Mr. Chibuike Utaka presented a paper titled conflict-sensitive reporting in elections. Mr. Austin Aigbe of CDD led the third technical session which featured countering disinformation in Nigeria elections and a practical hands-on session on selected tools for fact-checking.
A network of journalists and CSOs was formed to monitor and fact-check issues in the forthcoming general election.
Communique Issued At The End Of The Workshop
Preamble
The capacity building organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was for Journalists and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to educate participants on ‘Conflict-Sensitive Reporting, 2023 General Election and Countering Fake News. The objective of the training was to educate and fine-tune the reportorial skills of critical stakeholders who influence the thought pattern of society; reduce electoral violence and fake news during the 2023 General Election processes in Nigeria.
Discussions and Observations
During the interactive and technical sessions, participants discussed a whole range of issues bothering on the role of Media and CSOs in the conduct of a peaceful election, key issues in the Electoral Act 2022, voter education and deployment of technology, countering fake news, misinformation/disinformation in Nigeria’s electoral process. After much deliberation, the participants applauded the organizers including the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for providing funding for the program for a seamless electoral process in Nigeria.
The following observations were noted:
INEC
- Use of BVAS: Though INEC gave a practical demonstration on the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
- Network issue: Possible use of network service providers to truncate, manipulate or slow down the flow/frequency of election results.
- Possible hacking into the server.
- Cloning of the server.
- Challenges with facial and fingerprint recognition by BVAS.
- The fate of a registered electorate whose PVCs have been destroyed/stolen.
- Possible internal sabotage.
Media/CSO
- Short attention span on critical issues in the electoral process.
- Lack of professionalism by some journalists/social media influencers and bloggers.
- Propagation of fake news/Hate speech/ misinformation/disinformation.
- Media content with inflammatory words could serve as conflict drivers.
Recommendations/Resolutions
Following the above observations, the following recommendations were made:
INEC
- It was recommended that INEC should beef up its security mechanisms to tackle issues of network failure, possible hacking, and cloning of the INEC server and other technological devices that will be used to conduct the 2023 elections.
- On the use of the BVAS, it was recommended that INEC should creatively provide a mechanism that will address challenges that may lead to the disenfranchisement of the registered electorate as a result of the loss of their PVCs. It was further recommended that INEC should test run and put in place measures to address potential issues that may arise from the inability of the BVAS machine from recognizing old PVCs.
- On possible internal sabotage, participants recommended that INEC should beef up surveillance on its internal operations to nip the antics of corrupt staff who wish to compromise the system internally.
Media/CSOs
- Participants commended the media for its coverage of the electoral process so far but recommended that the media should focus more on issue-based reportage and avoid sensationalism.
- On challenges of lack of professionalism by some journalists, social media influencers, and bloggers, stakeholders recommended the strengthening of the media code of ethics and ensuring that erring members are sanctioned in line with relevant statutory laws.
- Stakeholders on the challenges of fake news, misinformation/disinformation, recommended that journalists fact-check their stories before publication.
- On the issues of media content with inflammatory words that could serve as conflict drivers, it was recommended that journalists should be trained in conflict analysis/mapping and be more sensitive to the conflict drivers in the society in electoral reportage. It was also recommended that media content should be devoid of conflict languages/words such as massacre, IPOB President, Fulani Herdsmen, horror, hopeless, etc. Media should also strive not to objectify women.
- Participants further urged media practitioners to promote the inclusion of marginalized groups in the electoral process.
- Participants called on the media to remain apolitical irrespective of pressures from politicians.
- Participants emphasized the need for political reportage to be fact-based, fair, and devoid of emotion in their reportage.
- Participants urged CSOs to increase their engagement/sensitization of the electorate in voter education, sensitization, information, and civic education.
Conclusion
In conclusion, participants urged INEC, Media, and CSOs to ensure continuous collaboration toward a successful 2023 electoral process.