2027: NUJ Vows To Defend Crime Reporters Against Election Harassment
For journalists covering violent attacks, security operations and politically sensitive incidents, getting the story can come at a personal cost. Some arrive first at scenes of violence, ask difficult questions and face threats simply for reporting what they witness.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, says it will not abandon journalists who face intimidation or physical attacks while covering the 2027 general elections.
The FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, gave the assurance at the annual conference and awards ceremony of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN), where she acknowledged the risks associated with security reporting.
She commended crime correspondents for their courage and commitment, describing crime reporting as a demanding assignment that requires journalists to operate in high-risk environments.
She warned that the coming elections could expose reporters to harassment, intimidation and physical attacks, particularly as political activities and security tensions increase.
“The NUJ FCT, of course, will not carry last. We will not stand and watch. We will continue to stand with you,” she assured the journalists.
She said the council would engage security agencies to ensure that journalists’ rights to cover elections freely and safely were respected.
The Chairman however, urged reporters to take personal safety seriously by working in teams, sharing their locations with newsroom colleagues, wearing press identification and avoiding volatile locations alone.
Beyond physical safety, she identified misinformation as another major danger facing crime correspondents during the election period.
Ike warned that doctored videos, fabricated election results and false reports of attacks could spread rapidly and trigger tensions between communities.
She therefore urged journalists to verify information with relevant authorities and community sources before publication.
She also called on security agencies to provide timely information to journalists, warning that communication gaps could create opportunities for fake news to thrive.
According to her, the media and security institutions should see themselves as partners in protecting national security rather than adversaries.
She challenged CCAN members to uphold professional standards and ensure that their reporting promotes peaceful elections rather than inflaming tensions.
She said the NUJ would continue to advocate responsible journalism and defend the rights and safety of its members as Nigeria approaches the 2027 polls.
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