From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Yobe State Government, in collaboration with the Correspondents’ Chapel, on Monday organised a training for journalists and social media practitioners on professional election coverage ahead of future electoral activities.
The one-day workshop, held in Damaturu, was themed: “Enhancing Professionalism in Election Coverage.”
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, said professionalism in election reporting remained vital to ensuring peaceful and credible democratic processes.
Bego, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Information, Alhaji Ali Musa Yawale, noted that the media plays a strategic role during elections by serving as a bridge between citizens, institutions and other democratic actors.
“The role of journalists, including social media influencers, goes beyond merely reporting events; it includes safeguarding truth, promoting peace, countering misinformation and ensuring citizens are accurately informed,” he said.
He described the training as timely, stressing that fake news, disinformation and sensational reporting continued to undermine public trust during elections.
According to him, sessions on investigative journalism, fact-checking, ethical reporting, conflict sensitivity and safety were designed to strengthen professionalism in media practice.
“At a time when fake news, disinformation, sensationalism and politically motivated narratives threaten public trust, journalists must remain guided by professionalism, objectivity, fairness and national interest,” he added.
Bego said the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni remained committed to promoting responsible journalism and strengthening democratic governance in the state.
He urged participants to take advantage of the workshop by engaging actively and applying the knowledge gained in future assignments.
The commissioner also commended the facilitators for contributing their expertise toward improving the quality of election reporting in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe State Council, Rajab Ismail Muhammed, described the workshop as timely and important ahead of forthcoming electioneering activities.
Muhammed appealed to the Ministry of Information to extend similar training programmes to other NUJ chapels across the state.
He also encouraged participants, particularly social media practitioners, to learn from experienced professionals and improve their reporting skills.
In a presentation titled “Ethical and Professional Standards in Election Reporting,” Mr Muhammad Auwal Umar highlighted voter education, fact-checking and investigative reporting as key responsibilities of journalists during elections.
He also identified issues-based reporting, electoral analysis and coverage of electoral irregularities as essential components of professional election reporting.
Umar further outlined challenges facing journalists during elections, including political pressure, propaganda, religious and ethnic sensitivities, as well as personal safety concerns.
Similarly, Mr Rabi’u Umar delivered a presentation on investigative journalism and fact-checking during elections, while Dr Musa Usman presented a paper on safety during election coverage.