Women Journalists Urged to Ensure Ethical Election Reporting

During the Women in Media Development Initiative August Webinar in Abuja, Mbah, the Deputy President of the International Press Institute Nigeria, urged women journalists to champion ethical election reporting. He emphasized that the urgency to break news should not compromise the responsibility to report truthfully.

Mbah highlighted the necessity of research as a protective measure, advising journalists to understand security histories and community dynamics before deployment. He stressed that journalists must report verified facts, reflect diverse perspectives, and avoid personal opinions in their reports.

Mbah warned against announcing election results prematurely, asserting that such declarations are the responsibility of electoral authorities. He identified threats to election reporting, including misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content, urging media organizations to enhance fact-checking capabilities.

Mbah also rejected the exclusion of female journalists from election assignments due to security concerns, advocating for proper risk assessments and adequate protection for all journalists. He encouraged media organizations to leverage the skills of young journalists in digital reporting while maintaining professional standards.