Avoid the “Breaking News” Syndrome, INEC advises the media.
(INEC) has urged all Nigerian media outlets to refrain from using the “breaking news” phenomenon in their reporting as the 2023 general election approaches.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Bauchi at a one-day workshop for journalists to enhance their skills in conflict-sensitive reporting and the 2023 general election. The program’s National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and INEC put up a program for journalists in the country’s North Eastern region.
Alhaji Nasir Mohammed spoke on behalf of Yakubu, who warned that the inclination for the “breaking news” phenomenon might lead to the public being fed unconfirmed or improperly processed information.
He said that the media should exercise caution when choosing headlines and stay away from dramatic ones.
“Because sometimes readers will just read the headlines and make assumptions without reading the whole of the story,”
“The media must refrain from willful lying. They must also refrain from favoring religious, regional, or ethnic storylines in their tales.
He spoke.
Yakubu reaffirmed that INEC would work with the media in the future, not only as important participants in the electoral process but also as a real tool for battling malicious falsehood, fake news, and misinformation in society.
A third world war would begin on social media, according to NUJ National President Chris Isiguzo, who was also present and speaking through the union’s National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Liman.
He continued by saying that as media professionals, journalists must exercise caution when hastily hopping on the bandwagon of emergency journalism, which thrives on using social media to solicit support for the political parties of their sentiments.
“Journalists must stay away from false news and hate journalism since these vices may devastate a society.
Since journalism is in the business and practice of communication, the introduction of multimedia technology has significantly altered the pattern and flow of communication worldwide.
He spoke.
