IPC urges journalists to tackle misinformation ahead of 2027 elections
By Boye Oyeyemi
The International Press Centre (IPC) has urged journalists and media organisations to prioritise fact-checking, issue-based reporting and public accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, made the call during a two-day training for journalists, editors and publishers in Akure, Ondo State. The training was organised to strengthen professional standards and promote democratic accountability in election coverage.
Arogundade, who was represented by the organisation’s Programme Manager, Stella Nwofia, said journalists must go beyond reporting political rallies and campaign activities to scrutinise candidates’ promises, monitor governance and amplify citizens’ concerns. He stressed that the media had a responsibility to provide voters with credible information to make informed electoral choices.
He warned that sensational reporting, unverified political claims and the spread of misinformation could undermine public confidence, deepen divisions and threaten democratic institutions. He therefore urged journalists to make verification an essential part of electoral reporting, rather than sacrifice accuracy for speed.
Similarly, a resource person, Adegbenro Adebanjo, Director of Corporate Communications at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, challenged journalists to investigate grassroots needs and ensure that the concerns of ordinary Nigerians were reflected in political parties’ manifestos. He noted that campaign promises often failed to address the actual priorities of the electorate.
Adebanjo urged reporters to pay closer attention to issues affecting local communities and use their findings to hold politicians accountable. Another facilitator, Olusola Oludiran, highlighted the importance of integrating fact-checking into accountability journalism to counter false claims circulated by politicians and their supporters. Participants were also trained on the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools to improve journalistic practice.
The programme, organised by IPC under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase III, also emphasised the need to protect journalists from intimidation and interference in the discharge of their duties. It highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for independent and professional election reporting.
Furthermore, the training called for inclusive election coverage that gives adequate attention to women, young people, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. The emphasis on inclusion, accountability and accurate reporting underscored the media’s role in helping voters assess candidates, understand policy proposals and make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
