The International Press Centre IPO has on Friday urged all online media Journalists in Ondo State,to do more of Verifiable Reportage, and also engage members of the public on issue based reporting Ahead Of 2027 than relying on hear-say.
The call was made during a one- day Seminar organized by the IPC in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.
The Seminar talked about doing away with hate speech, and other information dissemination that are unfounded
The Executive Director of the Organization, Mr Lanre Arogundade, strengthened the need for Journalists to do more of fact-checking on political issues to give room for a through Professionalism
He urged journalists to strengthen their fact-checking and verification skills, particularly when reporting politically sensitive issues, and to resist the pressure to prioritise speed over accuracy.
“Fact-checking and verification should not be treated as optional additions to journalism. They must be integral to responsible electoral reporting,” he said.
Arogundade also emphasised the need to protect journalists’ safety and professional independence, insisting that media practitioners should be able to carry out their legitimate duties without intimidation, harassment or unlawful interference.
According to him, the success of the engagement should be measured not merely by the quality of discussions or the number of participants but by its impact on journalistic practice in the months leading up to the 2027 general elections.
He said the impact should be reflected in the stories published, claims verified, citizens’ concerns amplified, accountability questions asked and professional standards upheld by media organisations.
Arogundade expressed the IPC’s gratitude to the European Union for providing funding support for the project under which the engagement was organised.
The training also featured practical sessions during which participants presented their commitments to using the knowledge acquired to amplify citizens’ voices and highlight issues affecting society as the 2027 general elections approach.
The Practical session which was handled by Olusola Oludiran touched on ways by which Artificial Intelligence can be used to enhance the profession and the introduction of important Applications needed for job accuracy.
Mr Oludiran also talked about the advantages of using the AI ,so as to detect forged videos and pictures that are not originally originated.
Director of Cooperate Communication,Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo of the Federal University Of Technology Akure, also shed lights on scanning Electoral environment and reporting citizens’ priority Concerns.
Adebanjo further urged Journalists to be fair , objective and be accurate in their dealings with Electoral Engagements.
