As media stakeholders and freedom of expression activists engage
in various discourse on May 3, to commemorate this year’s World
Press Freedom Day (WPFD), the International Press Centre (IPC)
Lagos has joined in calling attention to the need for deliberate
ways to combat the rising tide of fake news and disinformation as
well as growing threats to journalists in reporting democratic
development and elections.
Global discourse for Year 2019 WPFD, which is the 26th edition
of the event taking place at the African Union Headquarters, Addis
Ababa, is with the theme; “Media for Democracy: Journalism and
Elections in Times of Disinformation”
In a statement issued Thursday, Director, IPC, Mr. Lanre
Arogundade, noted that the role that the media play in reporting
the actions and activities of stakeholders in the electoral process
remains imperative as journalists remain obligated in providing
factual and truthful information to citizens.
“In the face of emerging realities, media channels especially
online platforms have become susceptible channels for the
dissemination of disinformation in reporting elections as witnessed
in the building up to the 2019 general elections, which is a
dangerous trend that ethical and professional journalistic report
must address”, Arogundade said.
“Respect for truth and for the right of the public to truth is
the first duty of journalists, and this must be upheld at all
times, especially when it comes to reporting democratic
governance”, he added.
Arogundade however lamented that journalists have also become
targets of repression and assault of anti-democracy forces, which
tramps on the rights of journalists.
“The International Press Centre (IPC) through its 2019 Media and
Elections situation room found it worrisome that there was an
increase in the attacks on journalists during the Governorship and
State Assembly elections in disregard to the rights of journalists
to monitor and report election activities as guaranteed by various
regulatory frameworks such as the Electoral Act, the Nigeria
Broadcasting Code and the Nigerian Media Code of Election
Coverage”.
“These acts are inimical to an enabling operational environment
for journalism”, he added, while calling on institutional
stakeholders to use the 2019 WPFD as a spring board to addressing
all infractions inimical to freedom of expression and free
media.