FCT Area Council Elections: NUJ Seeks Fair Coverage, Security For Reporters
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on media professionals to uphold accuracy, professionalism and safety in their coverage of the 2026 Area Council elections.
The call was made on Tuesday by the NUJ FCT Chairperson, Grace Ike, at a media forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Ike warned that the spread of misinformation could erode public trust, undermine democratic institutions and threaten peace, noting that elections are increasingly shaped beyond polling units.
“Elections are not won only at polling units; elections are also won and lost in the information space,” she said.
She observed that false information spreads rapidly in Nigeria and, if unchecked, could destabilise society.
“In today’s Nigeria, misinformation spreads faster than facts, and if left unchecked, it can poison public perception, undermine trust in institutions, and threaten the peace we all desire,” Ike stated.
The NUJ chairperson urged journalists to prioritise verification over speed and resist the temptation to sacrifice truth for online engagement.
“Let us verify before we publish. Let us not trade truth for traffic. Breaking news is good, but breaking society is dangerous,” she cautioned.
Ike stressed the need for media practitioners to uphold professional standards during the election period, warning against divisive reporting.
Describing the FCT as a shared space for all Nigerians, she urged journalists to resist being used as tools by desperate political actors.
“The FCT is the home of all Nigerians. We must refuse to be used as tools for division. Our platforms must not become weapons in the hands of desperate politicians. Our reports must heal, not inflame,” she said.
She also called for equitable and balanced coverage of all political actors, noting that democracy suffers when the media is compromised.
“We must ensure equitable coverage and access for all political actors. Democracy suffers when the media is captured. The credibility of the press depends on independence, professionalism and fairness,” Ike added.
No Compromise on Journalists’ Safety
On the safety of reporters, Ike declared that the NUJ would not tolerate harassment, intimidation or denial of access to journalists by security agencies or political actors.
“Let me state this clearly: journalists must not be harassed, assaulted, threatened or denied access,” she said.
“The NUJ will not accept a situation where reporters covering elections are treated as enemies.”
She therefore called on INEC, security agencies, political parties and their supporters to respect journalists and ensure the safety of media personnel and their equipment before, during and after the elections.
Ike also urged INEC to strengthen its communication with the media to effectively counter misinformation and fake results.
“INEC must continue to provide timely updates and accessible verification channels to shut down rumours and fake results. In an election season, silence creates a vacuum, and a vacuum empowers misinformation,” she said.
She expressed hope that the 2026 FCT Area Council elections would be remembered for credibility, peace and integrity, reaffirming the NUJ’s commitment to professionalism and press freedom.
Ike added that resolutions reached at the forum must be implemented.
The forum brought together media executives, producers, reporters and on-air personalities as part of INEC’s preparations for the 2026 FCT Area Council elections.
