Journalists have been urged to promote issue-based reporting ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election in Osun State to help voters make informed choices at the polls.

The call was made during a two-day Media and Election Stakeholders’ Interaction on Credible Polls in Osun State, organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) in Osogbo.

With about 38 days to the election, participants said the forum provided an opportunity for journalists, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and civil society organisations to strengthen collaboration towards ensuring a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.

Speaking at the event, IPC Programme Officer, Stella Nwofia, said the workshop was organised to strengthen democratic governance in the state and was funded by the European Union under the EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II), Component 4: Support to Media.

A lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Fountain University, Osogbo, Dr. Rasheed Adebiyi, urged journalists to focus on issues affecting the electorate rather than political rhetoric.

He encouraged media practitioners to educate voters on the manifestoes of political parties and their candidates, stressing that such reports would enable the electorate to make informed decisions.

Adebiyi also urged journalists to move beyond what he described as the “political economy of news” by interrogating issues that directly affect the welfare of the people.

According to him, journalism should not be driven solely by profit but should also serve the public interest and promote good governance.

He called on the media to scrutinise the promises, track records and policy proposals of political parties and their candidates, noting that agenda-setting remains one of the media’s most important contributions to democratic governance.

“I charge you to prioritise issue-based reporting. The content you publish will go a long way in helping voters make informed choices. Undertake stories on good governance, governance failures, policy implementation and long-term development priorities.

“Don’t let this election in Osun be like that of Ekiti, where many voters did not know the candidates challenging the eventual winner. Lead the public into deeper thinking about those seeking elective office,” he said.

Also speaking, Director of Journalism Clinic, Mr. Taiwo Obe, urged journalists to embrace digital tools and artificial intelligence to improve the quality of their reporting.

He encouraged participants to strengthen their critical thinking skills, bridge the information gap for the public and uphold professionalism throughout the election period.

Obe also advised journalists to prioritise their safety while covering the polls, combat fake news and misinformation, and collaborate with other stakeholders to support peaceful and credible elections.