As the nation prepares for elections slated for next month, February, a new media code of election coverage has been adopted.
The new media code is said to serve as ‘guidelines for a transparent electoral process and credible, free, fair and peaceful elections.’
The new media code was put together by representatives of media organisations, institutions, professional bodies and support groups. Among these are: Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
The code is a 31-page booklet divided into seven sections. Titles of the sections are as follows: Equitable access, professionalism and social responsibility, ethical conduct, hate speech and incitement, conflict sensitivity and monitoring and implementation.
According to Section 6(2), the implementation of media code will “make use of internal mechanisms including the office of the ombudsman, the ethics and disciplinary committee etc.”
As political campaigns increases in the nation, the code aptly call for avoidance of promotion of hate speeches. This is included in section 4 of the media code. According to 4(3), “a media organisation shall reject any material intended for publication or airing by parties, candidates and other interests that contains hateful or inciting words and messages.”
The social media is not left behind as the code caters for its regulation. Section 4(5) states: “A media organisation shall meticulously monitor the content of its social media platforms to stop the spread of hate and inciting messages”.
In a bid to forestall the repetition of 2011 post-election violence in some parts of the country, section 5(1) & (4) states thus:
5(1): A journalist shall be conflict-sensitive and pro-actively report early warning signals of possible outbreak of violent conflict during elections.
5(4): A journalist shall use temperate language and non-offensive images in reporting political/electoral tensions and conflicts.”
Furthermore, the code states that political advertisements published should not create hatred or incite violence. Section 3(5) states thus:” A media organisation shall not publish or air political adverts, advertorials and sponsored political news that seek to create hatred or incite violence.”
On the multi-party system run in the country, the code states unequivocally the unlimited media access to all parties. Section 1 (1.2) states thus: “A media organisation shall regularly apply the principle of equity in the coverage and reportage of campaigns and other activities of parties and candidates contesting elections.”
