Kano state governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has charged journalists to disseminate accurate information at the grass roots level, during the 2023 general elections.
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje made the call during a one day capacity building workshop for information officers on election coverage, organized by Kano state government in collaboration with Nigeria Broadcasting Commission.
According to him, the workshop was organized to equip information officers with the requisite knowledge on election coverage according to international standards.
The governor stressed that, as journalists there is the urgent need to seek for digital knowledge to enhance their capabilities .
” Your roles and responsibilities, and what you are to avoid, as well as procedures governing the conduct of different media organizations and ethics governing information dissemination “
He urged participants to make judicious use of the knowledge gained.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Alhaji Balarabe Shehu Illela explained that, ethical skills on how to report the 2023 elections is paramount.
He said professionalism in the media industry revolves around serving the public with factual information ,that would promote unity and mutual understanding.
Alhaji Balarabe noted that, section 5.33 of the NBC act, prescribed the stoppage of all campaign programs and jingles, 24 hours to election day, saying that, NBC would sanction any media organization found guilty of violating the embargo.
The director general stressed that, the survival of the nation is more important than anything, as without Nigeria there would be no broadcast stations, adding that the NBC is watching each and every station to ensure compliance.
“you have a responsibility to protect the integrity and citizens of Nigeria”
Some of the participants who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Yakubu Abubakar Gwagwarwa and Ramatu Shehu described the workshop as apt.
They highlighted that, the paper presentations by facilitators have broadened their capabilities on election coverage.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
