By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has cautioned Nigerian journalists against the promotion of fake news and hate speech, to prevent electoral violence, before, during and after the 2023 general elections, which are scheduled to hold in the 1st quarter of next year.
The Director, of the UNESCO Regional Office for West Africa and the Sahel and Officer in Charge of the Abuja Office, Dr Dimitri Sanga, gave this caution at a 1 Day Capacity Building for Editors and Electoral Officials Ahead of the 2023 Election in Nigeria.
He noted that the workshop, which, is centred around ‘Elections and Freedom of Expression in the Digital Era,” was jointly organized by UNESCO and Agate Multimedia, with funding from the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists.
Represented by the Officer in Charge of Communication and Information Sector UNESCO Abuja Regional Office, Ms Nuhu Yachat, the director said, the capacity building is part of UNESCO’s contributions to successful electioneering in Nigeria.
Dr. Sanga, said: “Media should not only aid in the dissemination of information but also the suppression of hate speech, the promotion of balanced views, and the establishment of information equilibrium. Finding a balance between preventing speech harm and safeguarding individual freedom can be difficult for the media. Finding this equilibrium, however, is crucial, particularly in a culture that is prone to conflict, like Nigeria”.
He said the true concern of responsible journalism is providing a genuine, fair, and balanced account of events rather than simply republishing press releases.
Journalists he added, must avoid making judgmental statements, but should accurately portray reality if the election is to work properly.
He noted that as ambassadors of peace journalism, media practitioners must consciously choose the stories that are published and the importance that is given to such stories to provide citizens with the option of responding to tense political situations without resorting to violence.
Chatham House: Tinubu disappointed those expecting ‘glitches’ – APC
He said that news should serve as mediators and not Instigators of violence before, during, and after the election.
“Politicians must be held accountable, the legitimacy of individuals must be guaranteed, and the public must be free to engage in debates without fear for their lives. The public must also have unhindered access to information. Hence, the importance of the distinguished men and women present here this morning,’ he added.
The Chief Technical Adviser for Elections, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr Deryck Fritz, said, the media, INEC, the political actors, their supporters, as well as all stakeholders, bear the responsibility to provide accurate and timely information at all times and to work actively to stamp out misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech when it is encountered.
