2023: Democracy Will Not Develop Without Peace – Isiguzo

The president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo has urged the media to be more committed to peace while reporting the forthcoming 2023 general elections, saying democracy would not develop without peace.
In a paper presented on Wednesday during a Training Workshop for North-West journalists, organised by the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) in collaboration with INEC and the NUJ on Conflict Sensitive Reporting and the 2023 General Elections held at the Royal Park Hotel, Kano, Mr. Isiguzo said the training was to prepare media practitioners for the onerous task ahead.
The NUJ President was represented by the editor- in- chief, ForeFront Magazine, Mr Amos Dunia.
“The topic is very important at this time, given the fact that political actors in Nigeria consider elections as a do-or-die affair. It is therefore auspicious for us as media professionals to brainstorm ahead of the election year so as to prepare ourselves for the onerous task ahead”, he said.
According to him, it was very necessary to take the issue of peace as a cardinal point and take into consideration the need to be careful so that areas that are already fragile do not explode or implode.
“Peace is a basic requirement in a democracy. No democracy can develop in the absence of peace”, he emphasised.
The number one journalist in Nigeria noted that it is impracticable to completely eliminate crises and conflicts from our society but said it was important to make deliberate efforts toward conflict resolution and peace-building.
“As journalists, we are expected to develop a thorough understanding of the electoral process, an understanding of conflicts, and convey these to citizens in a way that reflects the truth in all their complexities”, he pointed out.
He maintained that a proper foundation established by journalists will provide citizens with the opportunities they require to make informed judgments about issues involved and perhaps also help the government in taking meaningful decisions.
“The role of the media in peace promotion or conflict escalation has been heightened by a number of factors which include ownership and funding, editorial policy and the regulatory agencies”, he said, adding that journalists who had contributed to the process of democratic sustainability in Nigeria in the past 23 years or thereabout should also be interested in its future.
“The 2023 general election is important to all journalists especially as it will further stabilise our democracy and strengthen the democratic culture in Nigerian”, he maintained.
The NUJ President admonished the media to be more committed to improving the ethical standard of news reportage during elections.
“They must ensure that they undertake their professional duties within the ambit of the Electoral Law and other regulations. Professionally, they are required to improve their news judgment as it affects elections and election-related issues.
“Journalists, as a matter of priority, must always beam their searchlights on the election management body, INEC, to ensure that it is impartial and competent; that it embraces transparency and inclusivity in its composition and mandate in order to discharge its duties effectively”, he said.
Mr Isiguzo charged journalists to inform the public of how effectively the politicians had performed and help to hold them to account.
He explained that media plays a major role in keeping the citizenry abreast of current events and raising awareness of various issues in any society.
“Journalists in Nigeria should work towards the advancement of the right of freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of the press, media independence, conflict transformation and peace building”, he stressed.

By: Opaka Dokubo