The need for the people to be properly informed and not be swayed by unfounded rumours and sentiments has been emphasized.
This was the focus, during a media parley organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission for Media executives and bloggers in Awka, aimed at ensuring free, fair and credible election in Anambra, come November sixth.
Correspondent Kenechukwu Chukwudi reports that it was in the light of this that the media parley with INEC was convoked to create awareness on the hazards of fake news.
In his remarks at the event, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji noted that the conduct of election is a multi-stakeholders undertaking and the media is valuable and important, to relay critical and important information to the public.
Represented by the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Anambra State, Mr. Chima Duruaku, Dr Orji enjoined the media to be objective and balanced in their reportage through fact checking to eliminate sensationalism and ensure that people turn out to vote.
Mr. Victor Enye of International Foundation for Electoral Systems, a partner to INEC, in his speech maintained that the media has a wider reach and stressed the need for them to ensure they stick to the ethics and guidelines of the profession while doing their work.
For the Director, News and Current Affairs Department of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr. Gab Okpalaeze, the Media will keep playing its role by keeping the people abreast of information from the electoral umpire for them to have better understanding and confidence in the voting process.
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