As the 2019 general elections draw closer, stakeholders have been urged to take accountability and transparency as watchword towards enhancing adequate and smooth delivery of their duties before, during and after the election.The advice was given at a 2-day workshop for Political Correspondents organized by International Press Center in partnership with EU-Support To Democratic Governance in Nigeria.
Speaking at the training, Jide Ojo, a development consultant, who identified electoral stakeholders as political parties, media, civil society organizations and the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, maintained that these groups have a huge role to play know the election phases; pre, during and post-election period.
Ojo after highlighting various transparency and accountability challenges that the electoral stakeholders could face proffered solutions on how the issues could be addressed to enhance electoral integrity.
“Attitudinal change, Better Legislations, Voter Education Enforcement of extant regulations, strict adherence to core values on election reporting, professionalism and capacity building would go a long way in addressing the identified accountability and transparency issues.”
For his part, Founder, Journalists Clinic, Taiwo Obe taught participants on usage of digital tools and applications in covering elections.
Obe, also urged journalists to be tech savvy and utilize the use of digital tools and applications in their reportage as they cover the 2019 elections.
Participants at the training were awed for being opportune to be a part of the training which they describe as enlightening.
Tobi Joseph, a journalist with Rock City FM Abeokuta stated that the training would go a long way in contributing to a rich and good reportage of the general elections in 2019 and beyond.
Also, Temitope Musowo, political correspondent with The Blueprint Newspaper while speaking about his experience at the workshop said “the training about digital journalism and use of applications will give us an edge and make us be at the cutting edge of modern practice and new dynamics of the job.”
“The training was timely especially as we prepare for the 2019 elections, it was equally resourceful, the facilitators are authority in the field and they delivered with simplicity and precision”, Musowo added.
Yemisi Dada, Governor’s Office Correspondent at Radio One 103.5 Lagos who said the workshop was a great avenue for journalists to learn more maintained that “is an expository one, very engaging and intriguing, especially in the use of Social Media to disseminate useful and factual information to the people with a view to holding government and other relevant stakeholders accountable to the people.
The knowledge gained will be shared among my colleagues in the office for improved productivity with a view to bringing about change in the country.”
For her part, Jemilat Nasir of the Cable Online Newspaper said “I found the workshop very enlightening. The panelists, through their presentations, gave me a broader view of election coverage and journalism in general.
“The knowledge I have garnered from this workshop will have a great positive impact in my reportage of the 2019 elections and subsequent ones.”
In his closing remark, the Director of the International Press Center, IPC, Lagos, Mr Lanre Arogundade urged participants to utilize the knowledge gained from the Training to improve on their reportage not only for their Media Organizations but to make a global change.
Menu