Ekiti Election: IPC Urges Journalists to Stay Safe, Professional

The International Press Centre and the Centre for Media and Society on Thursday urged journalists and other media professionals who will be on duty during Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election to adhere to professional standards and remain safety conscious.

The governorship election is scheduled to be held across the state’s 16 local government areas.

Speaking at a press briefing, the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, said the advisory had become necessary in view of the critical role the media plays during electioneering processes and elections, periods during which journalists’ safety may be threatened.

“It is very important for journalists covering the Ekiti State election to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties and avoid situations that may put them in harm’s way. Journalists are expected to be non-partisan.

“Being partisan is not only about being a member of a political party but also includes the use of expressions and/or impressions through statements, tags, symbols and colours that portray or identify with a particular political party or personality,” Arogundade said.

He also advised journalists covering the election to ensure they are properly accredited and equipped.

“Journalists who are to cover the election should ensure that they are fully accredited and properly kitted in order to avoid situations where security agencies may question them or prevent them from carrying out their duties.

“Journalists who are not on election duty should avoid moving around polling units indiscriminately during the stipulated election period. At all times, journalists covering the election must have their identification cards and press tags clearly displayed to avoid undue harassment and unnecessary identity checks by security agencies.

“Other stakeholders, including election observers, should also proactively provide journalists covering the election with information to ensure that all parties work together to enhance the credibility of the electoral process,” he added.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Dr Akin Akingbulu, underscored the democratic importance of journalists’ safety, noting that the conditions under which journalists operate are a reflection of a society’s commitment to democratic values.

According to him, “Every election is, at its core, a test of those values, and nowhere is that test more visibly administered than in the field.”

On the relationship between security agencies and the media during elections, Akingbulu called for effective collaboration built on mutual respect and understanding of institutional responsibilities.

“The relationship between security personnel and journalists during elections has historically been one of the most contested frontiers in Nigeria’s democratic experience, shaped by mutual suspicion on both sides.

“We expect security agencies to recognise that the media is a critical component of the electoral process and should be accorded the necessary rights and privileges to enable journalists to carry out their responsibilities as partners in ensuring the credibility of the electoral process,” he said.

Among other activities, IPC and CEMESO said they would partner with the Ekiti State Police Command during the election to help ensure the safety of journalists deployed across the state.

As part of efforts to monitor and enhance journalists’ safety, the organisations also disclosed that designated safety alert officers would be available for journalists to report incidents of threats, harassment or attacks encountered during the election.