Ismail Adebayo in Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Ministry of information and Culture in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has organized a one day workshop for journalists in the state on their roles in the coverage of the 2023 general elections.
While declaring the workshop that was titled 'Roles of Media Before and After 2023 General Elections' 4open, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri said the workshop was timely given the fact that the country is in the process of counting its general elections and the role journalists plays during and after the election is important.
He said government was aware of the critical role of the media in ensuring credible and fair elections through well balanced reportage as political activities are gathering momentum.
Babale cautioned journalists on their reports considering the security situation in the country. "I called on journalists at all levels to put all hands on deck and safe guard the interest of the nation first and ensuring a peaceful transition in 2023.
"At the end of the training, it is expected that, participants apart from understanding the dos and don'ts should be able to appreciate the impact of their journalistic knowhow on reporting development".
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Garba Hamisu Zuru, said issues of training and retraining of Journalists is to enable practitioner play their role appropriately.
He appealed to Journalists to report correctly and in accordance to the laws of the land as 2023 elections is approaching.
He also enjoined Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Security agencies to avoid undue intimidation and harrassment of Journalists carrying out their legitimate duties but ooperate with the media to make the job easier in the interest of the nation.
The Zonal Vice President of the NUJ, Zone A' Comrade Tukur Umar, thanked Kebbi state government for training Journalists in the state on their role in 2023 elections.
He cautioned Journalists on the need to conduct their reportage with professionalism during elections and not to be partisan and tribalistic.
Papers where presented by the Department of State Security DSS, Police and the Independent Electoral Commission INEC, on the role of the media during and after elections. They all pledge their support for the media during and after the elections.
