IPC tasks media on comprehensive election report

International Press Centre (IPC) has advised media managers to ensure inclusive reporting and equitable coverage of all political stakeholders, especially political parties and candidates.

Speaking yesterday at the public presentation of its scorecard for July to September 2019/media roundtable on trends in print and online newspapers’ reportage on the 2019 elections in Lagos, stakeholders said the initiative by IPC would provide evidence-backed information on media performance during electoral processes.

While reviewing the report, Senior Lecturer, School of Communication, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Tunde Akanni, said the report covered The Punch, The Guardian, Daily Sun, Vanguard, ThisDay, Nigerian Tribune, The Nation, Leadership and Daily Trust, as well as Blue Print, The Cable and Premium Times showcased pre-election, election and post-election processes.

The report noted the gaps for the purpose of using the outcome as a tool for continuous engagement with journalists, media managers and media gate-keepers on the need to ensure media professionalism.

While counselling INEC to issue regular press releases in response to the concerns of parties, candidates, the media, civil society and the citizens, the report also urged the electoral umpire to ensure that such releases and other information were more evenly reported in the media through monitoring.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, pointed out that criticism was key to growth; hence the commission was pleased with the initiative.

He, however, lamented that the report focused more on INEC, leaving out substantial information around campaign promises.