2027: IPC URGES ISSUES-BASED ELECTION REPORTING, WARNS AGAINST MISINFORMATION

The International Press Centre (IPC) has urged journalists, editors and media publishers to prioritise fact-checking, accountability journalism and public-interest reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that misinformation, sensationalism and unverified political claims could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

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he Centre also cautioned Nigerians against misusing the Permanent Voter Card (PVC), stressing that the document is primarily an electoral instrument for eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote, rather than merely an identification card.

The Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, made the call during a two-day engagement with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), editors and media publishers in Akure, Ondo State. He was represented at the programme by the Centre’s Programme Manager, Mrs Stella Nwofia.

The engagement was organised under Component Four, Support to Media, of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase III programme to strengthen journalists’ capacity for accurate, balanced, credible and inclusive election coverage.

Mr Arogundade said election reporting should move beyond political campaigns, rallies, party defections and candidates’ public appearances to examine policies and commitments that directly affect citizens’ welfare.

He urged journalists to scrutinise political manifestos, interrogate campaign promises and hold candidates and political parties accountable for their commitments to the electorate.

He identified the economy, education, healthcare, security, employment and infrastructure as critical areas that should receive greater attention in election coverage, noting that voters needed reliable information to assess candidates and make informed choices.

The IPC Executive Director also called for more inclusive reporting that would give women, young people, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups a stronger voice in the electoral process.

He warned that sensational reporting, unverified claims and the deliberate spread of misinformation and disinformation could deepen political divisions, erode public confidence and weaken democratic institutions.

According to him, journalists must strengthen their verification procedures, cross-check information before publication and exercise caution when reporting politically sensitive issues.

He maintained that accuracy and credibility must take precedence over the pressure to break news, describing fact-checking as indispensable to responsible journalism, particularly during election periods.

On electoral participation, the centre stressed the need for greater public understanding of voting procedures and the purpose of the PVC to ensure that citizens appreciate its role in exercising their voting rights.