By Chioma James
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has issued a strong call on media practitioners to uphold accuracy, professionalism and personal safety in the coverage of the 2026 Area Council elections.
The charge was delivered by the NUJ FCT Chairperson, Grace Ike, during a media forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja as part of preparations for the forthcoming polls.
Ike warned that the spread of misinformation poses a serious threat to public trust and national peace, stressing that false narratives travel faster than verified facts in Nigeria’s media space.
“In today’s Nigeria, misinformation spreads faster than facts, and if left unchecked, it can poison public perception, undermine trust in institutions, and threaten the peace we all desire,” she said.
She urged journalists to place verification above speed, cautioning against the temptation to sacrifice truth for online engagement and popularity.
“Let us verify before we publish. Let us not trade truth for traffic. Breaking news is good, but breaking society is dangerous,” Ike warned.
Emphasising professionalism, the NUJ chairperson said journalists must resist being drawn into divisive reporting, particularly during sensitive electoral periods.
Describing the FCT as a collective home for all Nigerians, Ike cautioned media platforms against being weaponised for political interests.
“The FCT is the home of all Nigerians. We must refuse to be used as tools for division. Our platforms must not become weapons in the hands of desperate politicians.
Our reports must heal, not inflame,” she said.
Ike also stressed the need for equitable coverage of all political actors, noting that fairness is central to democratic credibility.
“We must ensure equitable coverage and access for all political actors. Democracy suffers when the media is captured,” she stated.
According to her, the credibility of the press depends on independence, professionalism and balance, especially during elections.
On the issue of safety, Ike declared that the NUJ would not tolerate harassment, intimidation or denial of access to journalists on election duty.
“Let me state this clearly: journalists must not be harassed, assaulted, threatened or denied access,” she said firmly.
She called on INEC, security agencies, political parties and their supporters to respect journalists and protect them and their equipment before, during and after the elections.
Ike also urged INEC to strengthen its communication channels with the media to counter rumours, fake results and misleading narratives.
“INEC must continue to provide timely updates and accessible verification channels to shut down rumours and fake results,” she said.
“In an election season, silence creates a vacuum, and a vacuum empowers misinformation,” Ike added.
She expressed optimism that the 2026 FCT Area Council elections would be remembered for integrity, credibility and peace.
The NUJ chairperson reaffirmed the union’s commitment to press freedom, stressing that a free and responsible media is essential to democracy.
Ike further called for the full implementation of resolutions reached at the forum, which brought together media executives, producers, reporters and on-air personalities.
She said the NUJ FCT Council remains committed to protecting journalists’ rights and urged reporters to promptly report any form of harassment or intimidation.
Highlighting the media’s role in democracy, Ike noted that accurate, balanced and responsible reporting is key to ensuring free and fair elections.
She disclosed that the NUJ would work closely with INEC and security agencies to safeguard journalists covering the polls.
Ike described the 2026 FCT Area Council elections as a critical test of Nigeria’s democratic process that must not be undermined by violence or falsehood.
She added that the NUJ would monitor the elections closely and report any irregularities, urging journalists to remain impartial and professional.
Ike also called on politicians and security agencies to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions, stressing that peaceful elections are a shared responsibility of all stakeholders.