By Law Ibitoye
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have called on journalists and other media professionals covering the poll to adhere strictly to professional standards while prioritising their personal safety.
The organisations made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the election would take place across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the advisory was necessary given the critical role journalists play during elections and the potential risks associated with election coverage.
According to him, journalists must remain non-partisan and avoid actions or expressions that could suggest allegiance to any political party or candidate.
“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 will put them in harm’s way,” Arogundade said.
He stressed that partisanship extends beyond formal political affiliations and includes the use of statements, symbols, colours, tags or impressions that identify journalists with particular political interests.
Arogundade also advised media practitioners assigned to election duty to ensure they are properly accredited and fully equipped for the assignment. He urged journalists to display their official identification cards and media tags at all times to avoid unnecessary harassment or identity checks by security personnel.He further cautioned journalists who are not officially assigned to election coverage to stay away from polling units during the election period.
Also speaking, Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, emphasised the need for constructive collaboration between security agencies and the media during elections, while safeguarding press freedom.
Dr. Akingbulu noted that the relationship between journalists and security personnel has often been characterised by mistrust but said the IPC/CEMESO Safety of Journalists initiative seeks to promote purposeful cooperation in support of credible elections.
He, however, warned against any arrangement that could compromise the independence of the media. “The media’s independence is not a courtesy that security institutions extend to journalists; it is a right guaranteed by the democratic framework within which those institutions derive their legitimacy,” he said.
According to him, protecting journalists during elections should be seen as a collective responsibility and a crucial investment in the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
The IPC and CEMESO have been implementing initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and professionalism of journalists during elections since the 2023 general elections, providing safety advisories and support mechanisms for media practitioners covering polls across the country.
The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that journalists covering the Ekiti governorship election carry out their duties safely and professionally in the interest of democracy and credible electoral outcomes.
