2023 elections: University don, Dr. Adebola charges journalists on fair, balanced reportage.

A lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Dr Bakare Adebola has charged newsmen on balanced reportage of the 2023 general elections.

He gave the admonition at a roundtable with media practitioners organised by Albarka FM, Ilorin, Kwara State with support by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism under Media Engagement for Development in Diversity and Accountability.

In a statement, Dr Bakare, who identified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Security Agencies and the media as major umpires in ensuring a free, fair, credible and peaceful 2023 elections, maintained that the media being the fourth realm of the estate, must perform her duty with integrity.

While noting that the media by her functions as watchdog of the society, can promote electoral consciousness and integrity, he warned that they must be careful not to allow the country slide into anarchy through their reports.

The political scientist observed that the media has the role of agenda setting and in doing that, must ensure they bring electorates accountable for their actions and inactions, as well as avoiding sensational reports capable of heating up the polity, thereby, disrupting peaceful coexistence of the nation.

Dr Bakare also enjoined all media practitioners to avail themselves of the knowledge of the new Electoral Act to aid effective reports of the 2023 electoral processes and conduct of the elections.

Speaking at the event, General Manager of Albarka FM, Ilorin, Dr Rasheed Adigun, explained that the media have laid down ethical rules, and must be guided by it to ensure integrity and professional discharge of her responsibility.

He however added that though, the media as an organisation, is also in the business to make profit and remain in business but practitioners must always consider ethics of the profession in functioning optimally without compromising integrity.