By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

The US Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins has applauded the Nigerian journalists on their reporting ethics during the Nigerian general elections, saying that the media has proven its worth to shaping electoral processes.

In his opening remarks at this year’s World Press Freedom Day Program held at the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of US Consulate, which focused on the performance of the Nigerian news media covering the 2015 elections, Hawkins said that the Media and the Nigerian people effectively played constructive roles in ensuring successful and largely peaceful 2015 elections.

President Obama’s congratulatory message to Nigerians read: “The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to the tenets of democratic principles,” the CG who appeared delightful, commended the news media in offering a satisfactory platform  during the campaign season.

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Also speaking at the forum, the President Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina, who lectured the forum on the ‘Influence of Media owners on fair and balanced reporting and Commentaries in 2015 election coverage’ faulted the influence of newspapers owners to creditable reportage.

According to him, owners of newspapers constitute the boundary to which a reporter can go.

He pointed out that although there were several hate speeches advertorials which ordinarily may cause ripples in the society, they could not do much to averting them.

His words, “One major issue in the elections reporting, were hate speeches, which could not have been if the newspapers owners did not endorse them. Although the media became polarized, the owners influence were much, as they set rules on how far journalists can go. Only a few journalists can go against the position of publishers.”