Edo/Ondo elections: INEC urges journalists to guard against fake news

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THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has urged journalists to be resolute against fake news and misinformation ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

Yakubu gave the caution at the first quarterly consultative meeting with media organisations in Abuja on March 21 ahead of the Edo and  Ondo governorship poll which will be held on September 21, 2024 and November 16, 2024, respectively.

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Yakubu noted that INEC does not believe in censorship, adding that the antidote to fake news is greater openness and transparency.

“A very important reality in today’s age of information technology is the spread of fake news and misinformation instantly and on a global scale. As I said on many occasions, INEC does not believe in censorship. The best antidote to fake news is greater openness and transparency,” Yakub said.

“It is in furtherance of this policy that the commission interfaces regularly with stakeholders through our regular consultative meetings. We appreciate our partnership with the media and I want to reassure you that INEC will continue to work closely with you. We welcome your reports, commentaries and analyses on elections in particular and electoral activities in general.

Yakubu said the commission has introduced innovations to improve service delivery to the electorate, ensure the safety of journalists and grant them unrestricted access to various locations during elections.

“I urge you to continue to be a bulwark against fake news and misleading narratives about the commission and its activities,” he said.

Yakubu urged media organisations to engage with political parties as well as their aspirants and report on the primaries with the same diligence and depth they report the main general election conducted by INEC.

“Doing so will go a long way to strengthen our democracy since only the products of the party primaries are ultimately placed on the ballot paper for citizens to vote for in the main election. Party primaries are as important as the main election conducted by INEC,” he stated.

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Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via [email protected] and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.

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