AHEAD of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, media practitioners in the country have been tasked to shun fake news to avoid confusing Nigerians during the polls.
The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Dayo Oladebeye, disclosed this at the Press Week of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUC), Ekiti State Council held on Wednesday.
Oladebeye, who spoke on the topic, “2023 Elections: Beyond Religion, Ethnicity – The Place of The Media”, said the social media has not helped the situation as it allows anyone to put up posts regardless of the sources.
READ: Nigerian police to clamp down on fake news purveyors
“The sentiments that are spreading among Nigerians on these elections are primarily as a result of the myriads of socio-economic problems,” he said.
According to Oladebeye, the success of the 2023 election should be everyone’s concern, adding that Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnic affiliation will bear the consequences of their choices.
Oladebeye thereby called on the media to be transparent and open for debate and discussions as the watchdog of society.
He asked journalists to take measures against fake news, avoid sentiments and constantly educate members of the media.
Oladebeye stressed the importance of the position of the media before, during, and after the 2023 general elections in the face of religious and ethnic bigotry.
“There is a need for the media, regardless of the organization and location to work together for the overall interest of the citizens and for a better Nigeria,” he said.
ALSO READ: Why media houses should set up fact-checking desks to counter fake news
He said the masses should be educated for them to understand the need to vote based on the competence of the candidates contesting at all levels.
This, he said, would avoid voting sentiment associated with religion and ethnicity.
The Rector further urged the media to work as a team to promote national interests rather than personal interests.
