Media professionals across broadcast, print, and online media platforms have been tasked to ensure the deliberate inclusion of women, persons with disabilities, and youths in their reportage of the 2023 general elections.
Stressing that the three groups are oftentimes exempted from the coverage of the elections, as there seems to be more focus on candidates and winners, media professionals who would be involved in the election coverage were charged to ensure effective reportage of the marginalized groups in the election process.
The charge was made by media experts at the two-day workshop on ‘sharing good practices and trends on inclusive coverage of the electoral process organized by the Institute of Media and Society (IMS) under its EU-SDGN II project.
While giving his remarks during the opening ceremony, Akin Akingbulu, the Executive Director of IMS explained that the project is aimed at “deepening the participation of marginalized groups in the electoral process and to build the capacity of the media in coverage of the electoral process.”
Akingbulu also added that the project will “empower media to promote fair and effective coverage of the electoral process, especially in reporting on women, youths, and persons with disabilities; promote greater citizens participation; and improve quality of electoral administration.”
Prof Abigail Ogwezzy of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos harped on the need to address the institutional barriers that might frustrate the efforts of journalists who are involved in inclusive reporting.
Prof Ogwezzy however noted that she is confident that there would be inclusive reportage of the election based on recommendations that have been agreed upon during the workshop.
On her part, Dr. Ganiyat Tijani-Adenle from the Lagos State University said it is important that all the participants incorporate all the lessons learned at the session, which include the use of local languages, collaboration with stakeholder groups among others, to ensure the inclusion of PWDs in the coverage of the 2023 election.
Chigozie Chukwuleta from Unizik FM, Awka on behalf of all participants commended the IMS team for the training sessions which she said would help to ensure improved reportage of marginalized persons in the electoral process.
She charged other participants to make effective use of the training they have been exposed to.