By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri
International Press Center (IPC), in partnership with Centre For Media And Society (CEMESO) have empowered Imo based Journalists for professional election coverage ahead of November 11, Imo governorship poll which is slated to hold this year.
The two-day Media Roundtable/Engagement was held in Rockview Hotel Owerri, funded by European Union, on August, 16 and 17 of 2023 where more than fifty Journalists practicing in Imo State received excellent media training.
Our correspondent who participated in the invent, reports that the workshop featured a roundtable discussion, lectures, and interactive sessions with various resource people, including members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Prof. Sylvia Agu.
Melody Akinjiyan, program officer of the International Press Centre (IPC), said, the workshop is one of the activities being implemented by IPC as a lead partner, and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) under Component 4: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGNII) project.
Akinjiyan speech partly read, "We believe that the media has a critical agenda-setting role to support the integrity and credibility of elections. Not only must they take a lead role in ensuring that citizens are adequately mobilized, but they should also ensure that the entire process is open to public scrutiny.
"The thrust of our submissions would be that we bring the required professionalism and inclusivity to bear on the coverage and reportage of the ongoing electoral process in the state to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver on free, fair, peaceful and credible Imo governorship elections come November 11, 2023.
"Doing the above will require that we do not only focus on the campaigns and of course the legal battles of the gubernatorial gladiators but that we also provide an appropriate education for the voters so that they can be well enlightened on the electoral and campaign issues, the candidates and their programs and the voting processes. It will also require that we document the campaign promises so that post-elections we can hold the victors accountable to his/her promises in line with the obligation of democratic accountability.
"Therefore, we are here so that we can brainstorm and exchange ideas on how we can effectively play the role expected of the media in the electoral and democratic process universally agreed, and they are that the media should".
One of the Speakers, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director, of IPC, who was represented by the Editor, of Nigerian Democratic Report (NDR), Ayp Aluko -Olokun, during his presentation spoke extensively on the Media and Elections APP, which is the latest innovative inclusions on election resources materials and the revised Nigeria code of election coverage.
Another speaker, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, said the roundtable is one in the series of activities that IPC and CEMESO have put together for media professionals and other stakeholders as part of a targeted program during the electoral cycle in Nigeria.
Akingbulu pointed out that the task of strengthening the country’s democracy is an unending one, as democratic governance continues to be a work in progress, and citizens and institutions have the responsibility to continuously lay building blocks towards its consolidation.
Meanwhile, Ms. Aguawuike Angela, The Chief Executive Officer of Omalicha FM, one of the Primus radio station in Imo, also lectured Journalists on a topic "Understanding Conflict And Reporting".
However, challenges affecting Journalists in carrying out their Constitutional responsibilities in the state, such as police brutality, Intimidation by reckless politicians as well as others was also addressed in the Roundtable engagement.
Participants, from different media organizations expressed gratitude to the Organizers of the invent and also the UE for their sponsorship.
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