Osun Election: NUJ Demands Protection for Journalists, Warns Against Harassment

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, has called on political parties, candidates, security agencies, election officials and other stakeholders to guarantee the safety of journalists covering Saturday’s governorship election.

The council, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, and Secretary, Comrade Olalekan Akindoju, said journalists must be allowed to carry out their constitutional responsibility of informing the public without intimidation, harassment, assault, arrest or obstruction.

The NUJ urged political actors and their supporters to respect press freedom and ensure that journalists covering polling units, collation centres and other election-related activities are able to move freely and work safely.

The council also advised journalists to prioritise their personal safety, exercise caution in volatile situations and avoid unnecessary confrontation while carrying out their duties.

It urged media practitioners to promptly document and report any incident capable of threatening their safety or obstructing their professional responsibilities.

The NUJ further encouraged journalists to use the WAFLO WhatsApp-enabled live election incident reporting system deployed by the International Press Centre (IPC).

According to the council, the AI-assisted platform was designed to facilitate real-time reporting, documentation and monitoring of incidents affecting journalists and press freedom during the election.

Journalists can access the reporting channel through the Safe Media WhatsApp prompt or by sending “safemedia” to 0805 877 8053.

The council said incidents such as threats, harassment, physical attacks, detention, seizure of equipment, denial of access and other forms of interference should be accurately reported through the platform.

The NUJ also appealed to security agencies to recognise journalists as essential actors in the democratic process and provide adequate protection for media personnel deployed to cover the election.

While urging journalists to maintain professionalism, impartiality and accuracy, the council called on all stakeholders to work towards a peaceful election that would allow voters to exercise their franchise freely and enable journalists to report the process without fear.

The council stressed that the safety of journalists remained essential to ensuring credible and transparent coverage of the electoral process.