2023 Election : NUJ & INEC Warns Journalists against Spreading Fake News

In order to help Nigerians prepare for the 2023 elections, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and INEC have launched a campaign aimed at educating journalists on fake news.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned journalists against fake news.

The latest warning came after President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly called on election officers to ensure that no one spreads fake information during the 2023 general elections.

The President also urged his security agencies to be on high alert so that they could prevent any attempt by terrorists or other criminals to disrupt the process of peaceful elections in Nigeria.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said this in a statement on stakeholder meeting, adding that the warning became necessary in view of the approaching 2023 election.

In his message to journalists, NUJ General Secretary Chris Abani said: “We call upon you as journalists not just to follow your professional ethics but also our constitution which enjoins all Nigerians to vote for candidates who have registered themselves with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

According to the union, the country has witnessed an upsurge in fake news since 2019 which has led to disharmony, political instability and security challenges among others.

“Fake news has been a problem in Nigeria for a long time,” said the NUJ’s Communications Secretary, Mr. Seun Adeyemo.

“It has led to disharmony, political instability and security challenges among others.”

He added: “The latest outbreak of fake news comes at a time when we are awaiting the results of the presidential election; therefore we must be alert against all attempts by some individuals and groups who seek to harm our democracy.”

NUJ said it was ready to collaborate with INEC and other critical stakeholders towards sensitising Nigerians on what they called “the danger that fake news poses to our democracy.”

In a statement issued by the union, it said: “The NUJ is ready, willing and able to help INEC in ensuring that our elections are free from all forms of manipulation or threat to democracy as enshrined in our Constitution. We call on them (INEC) for collaboration.”

“Nigerian journalists as watchdogs owe an obligation to verify every piece of information before going to press or airing them for public consumption.”

The NUJ is ready to collaborate with INEC and other critical stakeholders in the battle against fake news.

We urge Nigerian journalists as watchdogs owe an obligation to verify every piece of information before going to press or airing them for public consumption.

Journalists must educate themselves about the potential harm that fake news can cause.

Fake news is a real problem. Since the advent of social media, it has become increasingly prevalent and can have a significant impact on people’s lives.

In this day and age where we live in an echo chamber where everything seems to be shared on social media every minute of every day, there is also a lot of misinformation being spread out there – mostly by bots but sometimes with human involvement as well. This misinformation can cause harm to individuals as well as businesses and institutions across all sectors including politics, business etc., which means that journalists should be aware of how fake news affects them personally too!

Conclusion

It is important for journalists to educate themselves about the potential harm that fake news can cause. The NUJ and INEC urge media houses to be more vigilant and responsible in reporting on election issues

2023 Election : NUJ & INEC Warns Journalists against Spreading Fake News