IPC Trains Journalists in Northwest on Election Coverage
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, on Friday, July 4, held a meeting with journalists from print and online media in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, and Katsina States to discuss how to improve election reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which took place in Kano, is part of Component 4b: Support to Media under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II programme, in collaboration with the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO).
In his remarks, IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade said the session aimed to assess newsroom conditions and discuss how to improve reporting during elections.
“The main goal of the interface is to assess the newsroom enabling environment and measures for improvement, in order for the media to engage in impactful reporting of the 2027 elections,” Arogundade said.
Discussions covered issues such as campaign finance, political advertising, journalists’ ethical responsibilities during elections, their safety, the need for investigative journalism, fact-checking, data use, and the Freedom of Information Act.
Arogundade also warned about the spread of false information. “Fact-checking is a crucial process in dispelling misinformation and deliberate distortions of information,” he said.
Journalists at the meeting said the discussion was important and timely. They asked for more training, especially in fact-checking, media literacy, and investigative reporting, along with logistical support and small grants to improve election coverage.
Abdull Ozumi said ongoing training is essential as the country prepares for another general election. “Journalists must be armed not just with tools but with clarity of purpose. We need to match the speed of digital misinformation with training in truth-telling,” he said.
Jacob Onjewu of New Nigerian described field work as difficult. “From limited access to data, to safety concerns and budget constraints, we’re constantly working against the tide. What we need is not just talkshops, but real, practical support that allows us to tell the full story,” he said.
Chairman of the Association of Kano State Online Journalists (ASKOJ), Yakubu Salisu, said the event was useful. “This kind of engagement helps sharpen our skills and reminds us of our responsibility to the public, especially as we approach another election cycle. We encourage IPC to sustain this effort.”
The post IPC Trains Journalists in Northwest on Election Coverage appeared first on Kano Times.
