THE VOICE OF NIGERIA CHALLENGES NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS TO UPHOLD PROFESSIONAL ETHICS DURING ELECTIONS.

Mr Hamza Mwamoyo, Programme Manager, African Division, Voice of Nigeria, has urged Nigerian journalists to be accountable, objective, and impartial in their work during the general elections.

He urged the realm’s fourth estate to uphold journalism ethics in order to protect the profession’s good image, even as they avoid using provocative language that could incite violence.

Mwamoyo made the announcement during a three-day election coverage training in Abuja organized by the US Agency for Global Media, VOA, in collaboration with Channels Academy for Nigerian Journalists.

“As journalists, we are guided by principles while covering elections, such as telling the truth, striving for impartiality, being accountable, objective, and providing an equal platform for political parties and candidates to communicate their message to voters, and always presenting a full account of events,” Mwamoyo said.

He also urged Nigerian journalists to fact-check stories in order to maintain the profession’s integrity, avoid legal complications, and ensure accountability in every story in order to maintain trust.

VOA’s African Division Programme Manager also urged journalists to refrain from accepting payments to write or publish stories.

“It is a violation of journalistic ethics to accept payment or gifts from any individual, specific interest group, or political organization in exchange for news coverage,” he said.