2023: INEC tasks media on fact-check to avoid fake news

By Emma Emmi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged media organisations in the country to help fact check disinformation, misinformation and fakenews as Nigeria prepares for 2023 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated this at the commission quarterly consultative meeting with media on Thursday in Abuja.
Yakubu who solicited media continuous support to INEC for successful elections in 2023, say that the media has critical role to play address misinformation and fakenews that may have negative impact on the elections.
“As the 2023 general election approaches we shall continue to work together to counteract dsinformation and misinformation.
“We will remain transparent and provide the required information to combat the triple menace of misinformation, disinformation and fake news as the commission does not support censorship.
“We believe that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and greater transparency.
“So, we’ll appeal to the media to help us to fact check, particularly some of the posting on the new media intended to either to delegitimise those who conduct elections or to delegitimise the institution that conducts elections with the ultimate aim of undermining the process.
“As I said, we always remain open and providing information. I know you’re a professional in your own right but I have learned also in this job for some time now that a professional journalist who he is on account of information available to him or her.
“We will continue to provide you with the information necessary for transparent and credible elections.”
Yakubu also called for media collaboration for the further cleanup of the country’s voter register and seamless collection of Permanent Voter Cards.
In his remarks, National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, commended INEC successful conduct of Ekiti, Osun and Anambra governorship elections, saying that has demonstrated the commission readiness to conduct credible elections in 2023.
Isiguzo, represented by the union National Treasurer, Mr Dele Atunbi, also commended INEC chairman for the various technology innovations into the country electoral process, which now gave the electorate to truly choose their leaders.
“The introduction of technology in the process of conduct of election has equal shown that INEC has given the people a right to choose their leaders.
“With leadership recruitment process in Nigeria under your wash and leadership, we can see authoritatively that it is now for public people to choose their leaders.
“You have done your own part in leadership recruitment processes and these you have done so well.
“INEC has done so well when it comes to the issue of giving it back to the people to choose their leaders. This we are proud of and we call upon Nigerians to use these opportunities or to seize this opportunity to protect democracy and to protect their own interest.
“You push the ball back and it is now for the people to take advantage of what you’ve done for us,” Isiguzo said.
He urged political actors to play by the rule and sell their party manifesto without the use tantrum, saying the use of tantrum is not in the best interest of the Nigeria politics.
Isiguzo also urged the media to be professional in their practice to help combat fakenews and the use of hate speech or unprintable words during campaigns. #Daily Legend#