Osun 2026: INEC tasks Journalists on issue-based reporting

By Ismail Azeez

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, has urged media professionals to promote issue-based reporting to combat electoral misinformation ahead of the August 15th governorship election.

Babalola called on media organizations to intensify efforts to educate voters on election procedures and timelines.

She made the call on Thursday during a dialogue and interactive forum with journalists and critical stakeholders.

The event was organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme in Osogbo.

Describing the media as an indispensable partner in the electoral process, Babalola noted that a well-informed electorate is crucial to the success of any democratic election.

She emphasized that the media remains one of the most effective channels for providing citizens with accurate, timely, and credible electoral information.

“The media has a constitutional and professional responsibility to educate citizens on electoral processes, promote issue-based campaigns, explain voting procedures, and encourage peaceful participation,” Babalola said.

“Media organizations should continue to provide accurate and timely voter education, give equitable and balanced coverage to political parties and candidates, and promote issue-based rather than personality-driven campaigns. They must also amplify official information released by INEC, educate voters on election procedures and timelines, and discourage hate speech, violence, and inflammatory narratives. An informed voter is better equipped to make independent choices and resist manipulation through false information,” she said.

The Executive Director of the IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, also spoke at the event, calling on election stakeholders in Osun State to demonstrate a strong commitment to a peaceful, credible, and inclusive governorship election.

He explained that the dialogue was designed to deepen cooperation among INEC, security agencies, the media, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders ahead of the polls.

Meanwhile, the Programme Manager of the IPC, Mrs. Stella Nwofia, urged journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, fact-checking, and ethical reporting.

Nwofia noted that the programme focuses on improving media professionalism particularly among women journalists combating electoral disinformation, deepening civic and voter education, and highlighting issues affecting youths, women, and persons with disabilities.

Similarly, the Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Dr. Akin Akingbulu, urged journalists covering the election to prioritize fact-checking, inclusive reporting, and accountability.

He advised media practitioners to apply Gender-Sensitive Media Guidelines in their reporting by ensuring fair representation, appropriate language, and accessible content.