IPC, CEMESO Urge Professional, Safety-Conscious Coverage of Ekiti Governorship Election
Oru Leonard
The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have called on journalists covering Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election to uphold professional standards and prioritize their safety while carrying out their duties.
In a statement issued on Thursday, IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the advisory became necessary given the crucial role of the media in the electoral process and the potential risks journalists may face while reporting from the field.
The governorship election is scheduled to take place across the 16 local government areas of the state.
Arogundade urged journalists to remain non-partisan and avoid actions, expressions, symbols, colours or affiliations that could create the impression of support for any political party or candidate.
He also stressed the importance of proper accreditation and identification, advising journalists assigned to election coverage to ensure they are fully equipped with the necessary credentials and media tags.
According to him, journalists not officially deployed for election duties should avoid visiting polling units during the election period, while those on assignment should clearly display their identification cards to prevent unnecessary harassment or scrutiny by security personnel.
Also speaking, Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, emphasized that the safety of journalists is fundamental to democracy, noting that the conditions under which media professionals operate reflect a society’s commitment to civic values and press freedom.
As part of efforts to safeguard journalists during the election, IPC and CEMESO announced a partnership with the Ekiti State Police Command under their Safety of Journalists Initiative.
The initiative will provide direct communication channels between journalists and designated Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in their respective areas of deployment to facilitate swift responses to threats, harassment or attacks.
Arogundade urged security agencies to recognise the media as a critical stakeholder in the electoral process and ensure journalists are granted the rights and privileges necessary to perform their duties effectively.
He also called on election observers and other stakeholders to cooperate with journalists by providing timely information that would enhance transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
The organisations further disclosed that safety alert officers would be available throughout the election period to receive and respond to reports of attacks, intimidation or other security concerns involving journalists.
Arogundade encouraged affected journalists to report any incidents to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, in addition to utilising the support channels established by the IPC/CEMESO initiative.
Highlighting the broader significance of media protection during elections, Akingbulu stated that attacks on journalists undermine the electorate’s right to independent information and weaken democratic accountability.
He described the collaboration between IPC, CEMESO and the police as a significant step towards strengthening journalist protection but stressed that the true test would be the practical enforcement of safety measures on election day.
Akingbulu also called for a relationship between security agencies and journalists based on mutual respect and institutional independence, warning that collaboration should not compromise the media’s watchdog role.
He noted that protecting journalists during elections is not a favour but an investment in the integrity and credibility of the democratic process.
The IPC recalled that ahead of the 2023 general elections, it launched a safety and professional advisory for journalists to equip media practitioners with the necessary tools and precautions for election coverage.
