The Zamfara state command of NSCDC in collaboration with NUJ has organized a one day capacity building meeting on the role of mass media in news reportage during the upcoming general elections.
Speaking during the occasion at Ministry for local government conference hall, the commandant of NSCDC of Zamfara state, Muhammad Bello Muazu charged journalists to be fair and just while reporting the election process and collation of election results.
He further urged them not to hasten publishing elections results before INEC”s official confirmation which most of the time causes unnecessary problems.
He disclosed that his command and other security agencies are willing to collaborate with journalists to ensure a hitch free election in the state and county in general.
Commandant Muazu said the aim of the one-day capacity building programme was to sensitize journalists on the dangers of giving fake news and unsubstantiated report as it relates to the entire election process that can lead to unnecessary and unprecedented problems to the society.
He advised journalists to always adhere to the rules of engagement while discharging their civic responsibility and avoid anything that can cause problems during and after the election.
He expressed readiness of his command to protect lives and properties of the people during and after the election.
In his remarks, the state chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, comrade Ibrahim Musa Maizare commended the effort and foresight of the Zamfara state command of NSCDC for organizing such an interesting and important event with a view to sensitize the journalists on the dangers of fake news and for the need to always adhere to ethics of the profession while reporting sensitive issues like election.
He assured that journalists would do their job base on set down rules and regulations without fear or favor and would give factual and accurate report and expressed readiness to work with any organization that is willing to assist journalists in the discharge of their duties
Several speakers spoke against the issues of insecurity and fake news and unsubstantiated report and the dangers the issues portend for the generality of the profession and media houses.
The program was attended by journalists from various media houses in the state
