2023 polls: All editors conference to hold in Owerri

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, over 400 editors will converge on Owerri, the Imo State capital, between November 9 and 12, to interrogate the political landscape with security chiefs, members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), scholars and other stakeholders expected at the conference.

In a statement signed, yesterday, by the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ (NGE) President, Mustapha Isah, and its General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the umbrella body of editors in Nigeria said that this year’s conference is carefully designed to examine the political space, with the theme, ‘Political Landscape, Credible Elections And The Role Of Editors.’

The statement reads: ‘’The goal of the conference is to achieve near consensus among senior editors, media owners and managers, in shaping constructive, objective and productive narrative before, during and after the 2023 general elections to have credible and peaceful elections in the interest of our nation.

‘’The argument is that an objective and skilled media is an essential component of any democratic society. It provides useful and reliable information, which the polity requires to make informed decisions.

‘’The media carries out checking function, ensuring that elected public office holders uphold their oaths of office, electoral campaign promises and carry out wishes of the people.’’

The editors explained that the choice of this year’s theme was informed by the fact that the media enables the electorate to make knowledgeable decisions by providing useful information that enriches their knowledge of electoral process.

According to NGE, the performance of these obligations entails the adherence of the highest ethical standard of professionalism, maximum compliance with regulatory frameworks and respect to the public good and interest.

The NGE added: “The media, as the watchdog of society, should be facilitators of transparent electoral processes and credible, free, fair and peaceful elections.
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’We believe that if editors play their role well, it will contribute to the conduct of credible elections that are devoid of violence.’’

The All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) is the biggest gathering of Nigerian editors and owners of mass media: newspapers, magazines, radio/television stations and online newspapers in Nigeria.

The yearly conference also attracts local media, focused organisations and foreign partners: World Editors Forum (WEF), West African Editors Forum (WAEF), African Editors Forum (AEF), International Press Institute (IPI) and World Association of Newspapers (WAN).