Ahead of the 2023 general election, more than 400 editors will gather in Owerri, the capital of Imo state, between November 9-12, to grill the political landscape with security chiefs, members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), academics and other interested parties. expected at the conference.
In a statement signed yesterday by Nigerian Publishers Guild (NGE) President Mustapha Isah and General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the coordinating body for publishers in Nigeria said this year’s conference is carefully designed to examine the space political. , with the theme ‘Political landscape, credible elections and the role of editors’.
The statement reads: ”The goal of the conference is to achieve a close consensus among senior editors, media owners and managers, to shape a constructive, objective and productive narrative before, during and after the general election of 2023 to have credible and peaceful elections in the interest of our nation.
“The argument is that an objective and skillful media is an essential component of any democratic society. It provides useful and reliable information that the policy requires to make informed decisions.
“The media performs a verification function, ensuring that the holders of elected public office keep their oaths of office, their election campaign promises and fulfill the wishes of the people.”
The editors explained that the choice of this year’s theme was based on the fact that the media enables the electorate to make informed decisions by providing useful information that enriches their knowledge of the electoral process.
According to NGE, compliance with these obligations implies adherence to the highest ethical standard of professionalism, maximum compliance with regulatory frameworks and respect for the public good and interest.
The NGE added: “The media, as guardians of society, must be facilitators of transparent electoral processes and credible, free, fair and peaceful elections.
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“We believe that if editors play their part well, they will contribute to credible elections that are free from violence.”
The All Nigeria Publishers Conference (ANEC) is the largest gathering of publishers and owners of Nigerian media: newspapers, magazines, radio/TV stations and online newspapers in Nigeria.
The annual conference also attracts local media, focused organizations and foreign partners: World Editors Forum (WEF), West African Editors Forum (WAEF), African Editors Forum (AEF), International Press Institute (IPI) and World Association of Newspapers (WAN). ) .
