Anambra Journalists train on Election Reporting
By Uche Kalu
As the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, draws near, the International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) has organized a two-day capacity-building forum for journalists in the state.
The workshop, held in Awka, brought together practitioners from print, broadcast, and online media, alongside representatives of security agencies, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and other stakeholders. It was funded by the European Union under Component 4: Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria – Phase II (EU-SDGN II), which focuses on strengthening democratic processes through media empowerment.
In his address, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, described elections as the foundation of democracy, emphasizing that retraining journalists on ethical and professional reporting would promote accountability and participatory governance.
“Retraining journalists on ethical and professional reportage of elections will enhance accountability and participatory democracy,” Arogundade stated.
Speaking further on the Code of Election Coverage, he urged journalists to uphold their professional and social responsibilities, stressing the media’s critical role in ensuring credible elections. He also called for improved documentation of campaign promises, adherence to ethics across all election phases, and open dialogue aimed at enhancing reportage quality.
Arogundade commended media bodies such as NAWOJ, AOP, and the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) for their cooperation and active participation.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, said the engagement was designed to renew the conversation between political candidates and voters.
“This engagement is targeted at renewing conversations between those who seek to govern and those who elect the leaders.
It aims to uphold media freedom, amplify voices, and deepen electoral integrity to secure peace over polarization,” he noted.
Dr. Akingbulu acknowledged the peculiar challenges of off-cycle elections and commended the European Union for its commitment to reinforcing democracy through a free and responsible media. He also stressed journalists’ safety and the urgent need to counter misinformation and social media disinformation during election periods.
Delivering a presentation titled “Embedding Ethics, Professionalism, Inclusion, and Issue-Focused Reporting Before and After the Anambra Election,” Dr. Njide Ezeonyejiaku of the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, underscored the importance of ethical conduct and professionalism in election reporting. She described inclusion and issue-based reporting as hallmarks of credible journalism and urged reporters to uphold the ethos of the profession in the public interest.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, and his counterpart from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) reassured participants of robust security arrangements for a peaceful poll. They urged voters to refrain from carrying weapons to polling units and called on the media to help discourage vote-buying and promote informed participation.
The Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Ambassador Jake Epelle, advocated for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities, urging security agencies and political parties to comply with electoral laws guaranteeing their participation. He encouraged the media to give visibility to these efforts in their coverage.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, commended the organizers, describing the forum as one of the most impactful training sessions the NUJ has attended in recent times. He encouraged the IPC to sustain collaboration with the Union for continued professional development.
The forum concluded with all stakeholders pledging to work together to promote transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections in Anambra State.
