BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative (ACI) is set to train journalists on fair, accurate, objective and conflict-sensitive reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The one-day workshop, scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Kaduna, is aimed at strengthening journalists’ professional, legal and ethical capacity for responsible election coverage.
In a statement issued to newsmen yesterday in Kaduna, ACI Director-General, Dr Abdullahi Idris, said the workshop, themed “Fair, Objective and Conflict-Sensitive Election Reporting: Strengthening Journalism for Credible Nigerian Elections,” would hold at the ACI Secretariat, 5B Isa Kaita Road, Kaduna, from 10:00 a.m.
Idris said the media plays a critical role in Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly during elections when citizens rely on journalists for accurate information on candidates, political parties, electoral procedures, election-day developments and results.
He said the increasing spread of misinformation, disinformation, political propaganda, inflammatory content and manipulated digital materials had made it necessary for journalists to continually strengthen their ability to verify information and report sensitive political developments accurately.
According to him, the workshop would provide participants with practical knowledge on distinguishing facts from allegations, opinions and propaganda, as well as verifying election-related claims, photographs, videos, statistics and social media content.
He added that the training would also focus on the responsible reporting of political violence, hate speech and other sensitive incidents, noting that careless or inflammatory reporting could contribute to tensions during elections.
The ACI director-general said participants would also examine the legal framework governing elections and journalists’ responsibilities in reporting campaigns, election-day activities, results, electoral disputes and related developments.
Other areas to be covered, he said, include fact-checking and digital verification, social media verification, responsible use of artificial intelligence, conflict-sensitive reporting, hate speech, political manipulation, misinformation and disinformation.
Idris said the workshop would further address the safety, independence and credibility of journalists and their sources.
He explained that ACI organised the programme to promote responsible journalism as an important component of credible elections, peaceful democratic participation and social cohesion.
He urged journalists and other relevant stakeholders to take advantage of the workshop to strengthen their knowledge and professional tools for election coverage.
Idris expressed the hope that the programme would contribute to strengthening professional election reporting and support efforts towards credible, peaceful and inclusive democratic processes in Nigeria.
