Katsina NUJ Urges Responsible Election Reporting Ahead of 2027 Polls
By Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State Council, Yusuf Jargaba, has called on journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism by ensuring accurate, balanced and responsible reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jargaba made the call during a two-day workshop themed “Journalism, Elections and Democratic Governance in the Digital Age,” organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel in collaboration with the Katsina State Government.
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He urged media practitioners to verify information before publication, distinguish facts from rumours, and avoid sensational or inflammatory language capable of creating tension before, during and after the elections.
According to him, accuracy in reporting is essential to combating misinformation and fake news, particularly in today’s fast-paced digital media environment.
“Conflict reporting requires caution. Journalists must report accurately and responsibly while avoiding language that could heighten tensions,” he said.
Jargaba also advised journalists to assess the security environment, identify potential risks while covering elections, and maintain constant communication with their respective newsrooms to ensure their safety.
He noted that the workshop was designed to enable participants to learn from experienced professionals, exchange ideas and strengthen their understanding of the challenges associated with election coverage.
The NUJ chairman commended the Katsina State Government for sponsoring the workshop and encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained in promoting credible and conflict-sensitive election reporting.
Earlier, the Katsina State Commissioner for Information, Bala Zango, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Tukur Dan-Ali, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for journalists to perform their duties professionally.
He praised the Correspondents’ Chapel for initiating the capacity-building programme, describing it as timely and vital to enhancing responsible and accurate reporting ahead of the 2027 elections.
The workshop featured presentations on “Media and Electoral Accountability,” “Journalism, Elections and Democratic Governance in the Digital Age,” and “Journalists’ Safety During Elections: Risk Assessment, Conflict Reporting and Field Protection.”
