The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos- Nigeria, on Thursday, enjoined journalists and other media professionals that will be on election duty in Edo State on Saturday to pay deserved attention to their safety.
IPC also urged security operatives and other stakeholders that will be involved in the Edo State governorship election to help ensure the safety of journalists.
IPC’s Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said this became imperative because of the consistent trend of journalists being victims of attacks during election period and the conflicts and tension by political actors and other players in the electoral process in the state.
“It is very important for journalists covering the Edo State election to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties, and to avoid situations that will put them in danger. Journalists are expected to take into consideration some safety measures while on the field,” he said in a statement by the IPC
Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan.
Arogundade added that journalists should internalize the following tips:
Be non-partisan
Don’t walk or move alone
Be INEC accredited and have your organizational identity card
Be brave and smart…i.e. cover violent situations from a reasonable distance
Handle classified information appropriately
He also admonished other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake their tasks in a very professional manner.
He urged the Inspector General of Police to advise officers and men on the field, to protect accredited journalists, because the media is a critical part of the electoral process and journalists should be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them carry out their social obligations as partners in enshrining the credibility of the electoral process.
“Other stakeholders, including election observers should also proactively provide journalists covering the elections with information to ensure that all work together for the success of the elections”, Mr. Arogundade added.
As part of initiatives to keep tab on the safety of journalists, IPC said that there are safety alert officers who journalists under threat/attack can report to via calls or messages. The concerned officers are:
Melody Akinjiyan (Press Freedom Officer, IPC) – 08132776441
Olutoyin Ayoade (Communication Officer, IPC) – 08114503887
Mr. Arogundade also enjoined journalists to report any threats to the Edo State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
