Journalists and media professionals assigned to cover Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State have been urged to uphold ethical standards, remain impartial and prioritise their personal safety while carrying out their duties.
The call was made on Thursday by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) during a press briefing ahead of the election scheduled to take place across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, stressed the importance of safety consciousness among journalists, noting that election periods often present risks to media practitioners due to the sensitive nature of the process.
According to him, journalists must maintain strict neutrality while reporting electoral activities and avoid any conduct that could create the impression of political affiliation.
Arogundade explained that partisanship extends beyond formal membership of political parties and can also be reflected through statements, symbols, colours, tags or other expressions that suggest support for a political party or candidate.
He further advised journalists to ensure they possess all necessary accreditation and identification before proceeding to election assignments.
Arogundade said properly accredited journalists would be less likely to face challenges from security personnel and would be better positioned to carry out their responsibilities without unnecessary disruptions.
He also cautioned journalists who are not officially assigned to election coverage against moving around polling units during the election period.
Those on duty, he said, should prominently display their press credentials and identification cards at all times to avoid harassment or repeated identity verification by security agencies.
The IPC executive director added that election observers and other stakeholders should cooperate with journalists by providing timely information that could contribute to a transparent and credible electoral process.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Akin Akingbulu, described journalists’ safety as a key indicator of a society’s commitment to democratic principles.
He noted that elections serve as a test of democratic values and that journalists are often at the centre of that process through their role in informing the public.
Akingbulu called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and the media, saying both institutions have critical responsibilities in ensuring credible elections.
He observed that interactions between journalists and security personnel during elections have often been characterised by distrust and misunderstanding.
To address this, he urged security agencies to recognise the media as an essential stakeholder in the electoral process and accord journalists the rights and support necessary to perform their duties effectively.
As part of efforts to enhance the safety of media practitioners during the election, IPC and CEMESO disclosed plans to work closely with the Ekiti State Police Command throughout the exercise.
The organisations also announced that dedicated safety alert officers would be on standby to receive reports from journalists who experience threats, intimidation, harassment or attacks while covering the election.
They expressed confidence that the measures would help create a safer working environment for journalists and contribute to the overall credibility of the electoral process in Ekiti State.
