Ekiti election: IPC urges journalists to stay safe, professional

Journalists and media professionals preparing to cover the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election have been urged to maintain a strong focus on safety and professional standards. The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society issued joint advisories, highlighting the critical role the media plays during electoral processes, a period often fraught with potential threats to journalists' well-being.

Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, stressed the importance of safety consciousness, advising reporters to avoid situations that could put them in harm's way. He defined partisanship broadly, extending it beyond party membership to include the use of language, symbols, or colors that identify with a particular political entity. "Being partisan is not only about being a member of a political party but also includes the use of expressions and/or impressions through statements, tags, symbols and colours that portray or identify with a particular political party or personality," Arogundade stated.

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Being partisan is not only about being a member of a political party but also includes the use of expressions and/or impressions through statements, tags, symbols and colours that portray or identify with a particular political party or personality.

Further guidance included ensuring proper accreditation and equipment to prevent interference from security agencies. Journalists not assigned to election duty were cautioned against indiscriminate movement around polling units. Clear display of identification cards and press tags was emphasized to avoid harassment. The advisory also called for proactive information sharing from election observers to foster collaboration and enhance the credibility of the electoral process.

Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, underscored the democratic significance of journalists' safety, noting that the conditions under which they operate reflect a society's commitment to democratic values. He called for effective collaboration between security personnel and journalists, built on mutual respect and a clear understanding of institutional responsibilities, stating, "The relationship between security personnel and journalists during elections has hist."

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The relationship between security personnel and journalists during elections has hist.