Adesina advises media to learn from 2015 general elections reportage

PR@ITRealms:

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina Thursday formally presented the report of the media coverage of the 2015 general elections to the public with a call on the media practitioners to digest and learn from the recommendations.

 

Mr Adesina who spoke in Abuja while presenting the book, “Reportage of 2015 Elections: Monitoring Scorecard of Print and Online Media”, enjoined the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to ensure that it is widely circulated.

The project jointly undertaken by the International Press Council (IPC) and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) was funded by donors- EU, UKAid, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development under the Democratic Governance fore Development (DGD) Project managed by the UNDP.

According to the Presidential Media Adviser, it was good that the 2015 electoral process was measured and evaluated, saying it would guide media practitioners in the coverage of future elections.

While noting that there were lapses in the media reportage of the last general elections, Mr Adesina however, posited that "the negatives and positives are work in progress”.

The UNDP’s Media Advisor, Mrs Toyin Gabriel, who also represented the DGD Project Director, expressed delight that after a long process, the IPC and NPC were able to produce a world class report that can stand the test of time.

She said the project was undertaken meticulously with a view to proving that there are Nigerian institutions that can deliver high value project. 

Mrs Gabriel said the stake was very high to deliver a product that the sponsors can be proud of and thanked the contributors for a job well done.

In his review prior to the presentation, the Director, International Press Centre, Mr Lanre Arogundade, said the scope of the project covered six-month period from November 2014 to April 2015.

He said 12 national newspapers were monitored during the period. They were- Daily Sun, The Nation, National Mirror, Vanguard, The Punch, ThisDay, Daily Independent, The Guardian, Nigerian Tribune, Daily Champion, Leadership and Daily Trust.

Also monitored were 10 regional newspapers - Nigerian Chronicle, Daily Star, Nigerian Observer, Nigerian Pilot, Abuja Inquirer, Peoples’ Daily, Blueprint, The Gleaner, Desert Herald, and Fresh Facts.

In addition, four online newspapers- The Tide, The Cable, Sahara Reporters and Premium Times as well as three social media platforms - Enough-is-Enough Nigeria, Reclaim Naija and INEC were monitored.

Mr Arogundade said “The period covered meant that it was possible to assess the performance of the concerned media outlets, prior to, during and immediately after the elections in the five topical areas of use of sources, conflict sensitivity, language use, coverage of issues and coverage of the election management body”.

 

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)
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Jonathan reassures on sanctity of May 29

DigitalSENSE Business News:

As outcome of the postponement of dates for the 2015 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Goodluck Jonathan has reassured Nigerians of his commitment to the sanctity of May 29, 2015 as the terminal date of his first term in office, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

DigitalSENSE Business News correspondent recalls that INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega had last night after a prolonged meeting with his commissioners and senior management told newsmen at INEC that 2015 general elections dates has been changed from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11.

Reacting shortly after the postponement announcement by INEC, President Jonathan reaffirmed that “May 29 is, has been, and will remain sacrosanct” according to press statement made available to DigitalSENSE Business News by the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

Abati also quoted the President as appealling to all stakeholders to accept the adjustment of the election dates by INEC in good faith, as the electoral body has a responsibility to conduct credible elections in which every Nigerian of voting age is afforded the opportunity to exercise their civic rights without any form of hindrance.

Also, President Jonathan expressed the belief that this is not a time to trade blames or make statements that may overheat the polity, but a time to show understanding and support the electoral commission to conduct the elections successfully. 

“It is the President’s understanding that INEC’s decision ought not to generate acrimony since it acted within its powers under the law and in consultation with all relevant stakeholders,” Mr. President stated. 

Further, he called on the international community, civil societies and the electorates to continue to support the administration’s commitment to a free, fair, credible and non-violent electoral process. 

 
+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +Reuben Abati @INECNigeria
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Pix: President Goodluck Jonathan

2015 Elections will not break up Nigeria – Info Minister

ITRealms:

The supervising Information Minister, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammad has dispelled fears being over 2015 general elections and its possible outcome, which has been largely rumour to create events capable of leading to break-up of Nigeria, reports ITRealms.

Speaking in Abuja at the opening the 45th meeting of the National Council on Information with the theme “Strategic Information Management for Credible and Peaceful Elections” he said that as they supervise the political discourse leading to the general elections, they should strive to eliminate hate speeches, violent languages and incitement to violence in their programmes, news and commentaries to ensure peace and national cohesion during and after the elections.

Confirming this to ITRealms, the press secretary to Minister, Mr. Joseph Mutah quoted Dr. Muhammad as telling the Council, comprising Information Commissioners, heads of media organisations, and other stakeholders in the media, that 2015 general election is not about war.

“As public information managers, we must strive to build understanding, while dispelling misconceptions, suspicion, and fear.  The 2015 general elections are not about war, and Nigeria is not about to break up. We are one country and will remain so after the 2015 elections,” Muhammad said.

The Information Minister who harped on the need for balance, fairness and objectivity in news reportage, frowned at interference by some owners of media houses in the operations of the media to further their political interest and shut out the opposition.

“I am not oblivious of the maxim that who pays the piper dictates the tune. This comes into bold relief on occasions when some public information managers black out stories about opponents of the government in power in the environment.  Sometimes state-run media decline to accepts adverts from the opposition, even when such promotional materials are fully paid for”.

The Minister therefore called for change of attitude among some media managers and strict adherence to the Code of Conduct to guard against rancour and acrimony in the electioneering. 

He also directed the National Broadcasting Commission to sanction stations found infringing on the Broadcasting Code.

“Public information managers must also remain vigilant about attempts by some politicians to manipulate them.  Elections are not just about politicians. Elections also involve crucial questions about our collective future, and in whose hands the electorate would like to commit. It is important, therefore, that as we nurture our democracy through periodic elections, we should attempt to steer political discourse to issues that have potentially meaningful impact for the electorate”.

He charged the Information Managers to complement the Independent National Electoral Commission in voter education to ensure the overall success of the elections.

In a message to the occasion, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega said security remained a challenge ahead of the Commission preparatory to the general elections.

Represented by Dr. Chris Imoga, National Commissioner Information and Voter Education Committee, the INEC Chairman decried the situation whereby the Commission is being joined in court cases instituted by aspirants claiming irregularities in the conduct of party primaries and said political parties should always promote internal democracy and spare the Commission from needless litigations.

The INEC Chairman hailed the success recorded in the distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards across the country, and sought for collaboration of the media for the overall success of the general elections.

+Remmy Nweke  +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 

 
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