The Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), Ezenwa Nwagwu, has emphasised the need for journalists to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively understand and communicate the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
Nwagwu made the call during a one-day capacity-building workshop for media, traditional, and religious institutions on the Electoral Act held in Lagos.
He noted that increased understanding of journalists of the Electoral Act will enhance their role in the media and improve the quality of their reporting. He also noted that everyone has a responsibility to use their networks to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in performing their duties more effectively.
“A lot of people are not familiar with the legal regime for elections; the issues around the Electoral Act and the INEC guidelines. In fact, INEC has released a 503-page document on the 2023 Election, and I’m not sure many people have taken the time to see what it contains.
“The media should take the time to study the Electoral Act, identify what is lacking in the current Act within their areas of coverage, and use their platforms to advocate for change. By doing so, they will be speaking as informed journalists, based on knowledge rather than assumptions,” he emphasised.
Nwagwu further noted, “There is no dichotomy between civil society and the media. We’re partners in progress and cannot achieve anything without you.
“And our aim with this workshop is to partner with the media to popularise the legal regime, as the media has a direct line to the populace and can promote a better understanding of its importance”, he added.
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