From David Onuoja, Abuja
Ahead of September 21, 2024, Governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has met with Media Executives in Benin City, Edo state, in preparation for the transparent coverage of the upcoming election.
Speaking with the media stakeholders in Benin, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), to the Chairman of (INEC), Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, while delivering his speech on the role of social media and the INEC news platform said, he was in Edo to discuss the important role of media in an election coverage devoid of fake news.
The event brought together media professionals, reporters, producers, and on-air personalities among others in the state.
Oyekanmi stressed the need for media in ensuring a free, fair, credible and transparent election especially in this digital era.
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He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment in conducting free, fair, and credible elections. While emphasising that, INEC’s mission is to ensure that every vote counts, thus reinforcing the pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.
The CPS also reiterated the vision of INEC, which is to serve as an independent and effective election management body that guarantees electoral integrity.
Oyekanmi spoke on the platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube which have become indispensable tools for INEC in engaging with the electorate. These platforms he said, enable the Commission to provide instant updates, correct misinformation swiftly, and ensure that accurate information reaches the public.
He however, acknowledged the challenges associated with the use of social media which he pointed out to be on the rapid spread of fake news on these platforms that can lead to confusion and erode public trust in the electoral process.
According to him, “In light of these challenges, I call on media professionals to collaborate closely with INEC to ensure the integrity of the information being shared.
“I urged them to verify information before dissemination and to use their platforms to promote accurate and unbiased reporting. This is essential in countering the spread of misinformation and in ensuring that the public remains well-informed about the electoral process”, he said.
Mr. Oyekanmi equally encouraged the public to rely on INEC platform for updates, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of fake news and misinformation that are prevalent on unofficial channels.
