Media
By Benprince Ezeh
LANRE Arogundade, Chaiman International Press Center, IPC, has presented his book, Media and Elections: professional responsibilities of journalists in Lagos.
Speaking at the presentation of the book, the chairman, Senator Obafemi Odudu, urge journalists to look up to the author as an activist of good governance and desist from seeking favours from political parties.
“Arogundade has been putting all his efforts to educate the upcoming journalists, they should heed to his advice and do the right thing by being professional,” he said.
In his speech, Arogundade urged journalists across the country to see election coverage and reportage as a huge responsibility for nation building.
He explained that the title of the book gives shows that election coverage in Nigeria is a huge responsibility.
Arogundade noted that election cycles are very short and that the nation has just concluded the 2019 general elections.
“Between now and the end of the year, we have two governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states and before you know it, we are going to start having campaigns for 2023 elections. So, I felt let us begin to prepare now and I am also looking at young journalists and students who are in school now, who by the time of next elections will have become reporters.
“And that is why the book is written in very practical terms—giving details and giving examples of what they can do. So for me, it is quite relevant because we are still in election season. This is the right time to talk about media and elections and our professional responsibilities,” he said.
In the same vein, Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher Premium Times, suggested that during election periods, the media should be provided with some resources because the Constitution in Section 22 gives the media the responsibility of monitoring governance and holding government accountable to the people.
“This particular responsibility comes to the fore during the electoral process so we need more engagement for us to be able to implement the recommendations of the European Observation Mission, EOM,” he said.
The book presentation was attended by notable dignitaries from the media and government.
BE
– July 16, 2019 @ 13:33 GMT |
Tags: IPC Chair presents his book on election reporting by journalists
