By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
Fake news and hate speech are rife in electioneering campaigns often leading to attacks and counter attacks hence the need to promote programmes and policies that would address them.
In response to these during the Nigeria general elections in 2023, the International Press Centre, IPC, one of the implementing partners of the media Component of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, EU–SDGN programme, has promised a robust media engagement with various media houses to nip these menaces in the bud through fact-check.
The Executive Director, International Press Centre, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, who made the promise while speaking in a panel session at the closing ceremony of EU SDGN Phase one, and launch of EU SDGN phase two in Abuja on Monday, disclosed that IPC as one of the implementing partners of the media Component of the EU–SDGN programme had during the phase one of the project, held varius engagements with journalists and media houses and would engage with media professional bodies, the Independent National Electroal Commission (INEC) and others, to improve in the area of fake news and hate speech during the second phase of the project.
He noted that to provide credible information for the Nigerian electorate before, during and after the 2023 general elections, IPC-Nigeria had brought together over 300 media houses in the phase I of EU-SDGN to endorse and subscribe to the Nigeria Media Code of Election Coverage to provide credible information for citizens to be informed on their choices in the electoral process.
Mr. Arogundade, charged journalists covering the 2023 election to abide with the provisions of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage requiring adherence to the ethical and professional standards and also abide with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and desist from publishing results that are not approved by INEC.
Also speaking, another implementing partner of the EU-SDGN programme In the area of inclusivity of persons living with disabilities, Jake Epelle of Albino foundation, hopes with their involvement in the project, at least 100 persons with disability shall have opportunity to contest in the 2023 election.
