2011: Guild of Editors tasks INEC, media on credible election
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Nigerian Guild of Editors has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to faithfully discharge its duties in conducting credible, free and fair elections in the 2011 general elections.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Executive/Standing Committee meeting held in Gembu, Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State and signed by the President of the Guild, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye.
According to the communiqué, members of the standing committee, reviewed plans for the Guild’s biennial convention, and did a critical appraisal of the state of the media industry and the nation.
The Guild stressed among others the import of credible and accurate reporting of electioneering process by the Nigerian media, and urged media organisations to undertake the training of their staff on election matters as the nation approaches the 2011 elections.
It however, noted with trepidation the challenges before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, especially the time constraints to legally fix schedules of events and urged journalists to remain professional and non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.
The editors also urged all Nigerians to turn out en masse and participate in the forthcoming voters registration exercise to be able to take part in the 2011 elections even as it urged Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to urgently adjudicate on the several cases filed by Nigerians on the amended 1999 Constitution as this would help remove booby traps to the nation’s democratic development.
Also, condemning the recent spate of killings of security officials and the general insecurity in the country, the Guild called on the relevant agencies to rise to the occasion by apprehending the culprits and bringing them to justice.
The Guild also commended the efforts of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, in riding the profession of quacks through arrests and prosecution in courts of law and working to ensure that only competent practitioners are allowed in the profession.
The communique said the Guild had committed itself to collaborating with the NUJ, the Ombudsman and similarly inclined organisations working to restore integrity and pride to the practice of journalism.
The editors also noted the national treasure embedded in the Mambilla Plateau and called on both the government and the organised private sector to develop the Mambilla Plateau to boost agriculture and its tourism potentials, so as to create jobs for the people.
