By Law Ibitoye
The International Press Centre (IPC) has organised a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue for journalists in Ekiti State, aimed at promoting credible and professional coverage of the forthcoming June 20, 2026 governorship election.
The engagement, supported by the European Union under the programme “EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II), Component 4: Support to Media,” is part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of media practitioners in delivering factual, accurate and balanced reports during the electoral process.
Speaking at the opening session, IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, said the initiative forms part of a broader five-year intervention designed to enhance democratic governance and reinforce the media’s role in ensuring transparent elections in Nigeria.
Arogundade emphasised the importance of fact-checking and inclusive reporting, noting that journalists play a critical role in promoting accountability and public trust during elections.
He urged media practitioners to uphold professionalism by ensuring their reports are accurate, fair and reflective of all sides involved in the electoral process.
Also speaking, Director of Journalism Clinic, Taiwo Obe, charged journalists to embrace digital transformation by adopting modern tools, including artificial intelligence, to remain relevant in the evolving media landscape.
He noted that changing patterns in news consumption demand that journalists upgrade their skills and adapt to new technologies to effectively reach and engage audiences.
“My charge to journalists is to retool themselves and learn how to use digital applications and artificial intelligence in their practice, as media consumption habits have significantly changed in the digital age,” Obe said.
In his contribution, Professor of Mass Communication at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Adebola Aderibigbe, called for issue-based reporting in the build-up to the election.
He warned against sensationalism, stressing that responsible journalism is essential to sustaining democratic values.
Aderibigbe urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, fairness and balance by verifying information and giving equal opportunity to all political actors to present their views.
“The election should be defined by issues, not personalities. Reports must be factual, balanced and cross-checkable to avoid misinformation and potential conflict,” he said.
The dialogue is expected to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools required to provide credible coverage and contribute to a peaceful and transparent electoral process in Ekiti State.