LASIEC Tasks Media On Objective Reporting

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, has urged the Nigerian media to be mindful of hypersensitive news reporting, sensationalism, junk reporting, propaganda and other issues that may heat up the polity.

LASIEC boss, Justice Afolabi Abdulfatai Adeyinka made this call at the Media And Non-government Stakeholders Forum, held at Ostral Hall, Ikeja, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, recently.

The forum was the second in the series of the six stakeholders fora organised by LASIEC in the post-2011 Local Council Election Continuous Electoral Education Process.

According to Justice Adeyinka, “the media, during election  campaigns, is very important as a tool for advertisement, airing of jingles and other visual aids. The media also provide the news and information that will assist members of the public to form opinions on many issues. The Nigerian media is playing significant role in developing our nascent democracy but there is a lot of room for improvement.

“The media can actually raise the bar far above what obtains now. The media needs to be mindful of hypersensitive news reporting, sensationalism, junk reporting, propaganda an other issues that heat up the polity. We need to be more responsible and responsive in our news reporting and be mindful of the fact that the society can be shaped by what the people read in the newspapers. There is need for us to be objective but brave and to confront and analyse issues to assist the public to form the correct opinion.

“The media as the 4th estate of the realm in a democratic environment has the mass medium of education and therefore, has a big responsibility in terms of measure to the development of democracy and best democratic tenets.

“We seize this opportunity to enjoin the media to see LASIEC as a partner and hereby extend our hands of fellowship to work together with members of the press before, during and after elections.

“The role of the media, Non-Government Organisations and Community-based organisations cannot be overemphasised in electoral process and democracy. All hands must be on deck. Men and women from the different segments of the society must contribute their quota to achieve a democracy established by the best electoral practices. The media otherwise known as The 4th estate of the realm is the watchdog in a democracy that keeps the government of the day on its toes. A democracy without the media is like a vehicle without wheels.

“The media plays a crucial role in establishing a healthy democracy. The media through continuous observation and reporting keeps the populace aware of various social, political and economic activities happening in the country and in the world.

“The Non-Government Organisations and community- based organisations are charged with the responsibility of acting as pressure groups to advocate for and enforce the rule of law and justice at grassroots level. The impact of these groups has not been appreciably felt in Nigeria. There is no doubt that human rights organisations are trying their best but they must not rest on their oars. The likes of Gani Fawehinmi will not be forgotten in Nigeria,” he said.

National Coordinator, Democracy Volunteers, DV, Sina Odugbemi, who delivered a speech on Election Observation and Election Reporting: A Responsibility In Election Process, recommends that LASIEC should organise more of such  fora to give political education to electorate and further inform the people about its activities as well as organisation of pre-and post-election workshops to assess prospects and challenges.

He said the media should improve on coverage of activities in rural areas. Regulatory agencies such as Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, should enforce laws and guidelines to ensure media’s compliance to regulations in respect of equal opportunity and access to government media.

—Jamiu Yisa