The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented that the weaponization of Election-related disinformation has become very worrisome.
The commission said its distasteful experience with fake news in the 2023 general election has shown that, if not nipped in the bud, fake news can become the bane of election management in Nigeria.
The National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) Prof. Kunle Ajayi, disclosed this on Monday in Nasarawa at a two-day capacity building and workshop for INEC press corps on ethical, safety practices and critical issues relating to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa governorship elections, sponsored by the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI).
He said the workshop was very apt, coming ahead of the scheduled off-cycle governorship elections holding on 11th November, 2023.
Ajayi stressed that the coverage and reporting of electoral processes in Nigeria are particularly delicate, considering the uniqueness and sensitivity of election management generally.
He said this was because elections, particularly so in Nigeria, are perceived as a very high-stakes game, so much so that some people negatively tag it as a “do or die affair”.
The National Commissioner noted that while reporting on election matters, the media must address these issues with a deep sense of professionalism, journalistic ethics, and high standards.
Ajayi lamented that a crucial issue that poses a serious threat to the election process in Nigeria was the issue of fake news.
He said disinformation is used to provoke religious, political, and tribal sentiments in an already polarized society such as Nigeria, especially, during election season, which is often the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.
Ajayi stated: “The alarming prevalence of misinformation, ‘fake news’, hate speech, and the weaponization of disinformation has become very worrisome to the Commission.
“Disinformation is used to provoke religious, political, and tribal sentiments in an already polarized society such as ours, especially, during election season, which is often the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.
“Election-related disinformation has become a major strategy used by nefarious individuals and groups in the political space to manipulate the general public to their advantage, regardless of the consequential effect such propaganda may have on the peace and stability of the electoral process and the country at large.”
Ajayi appealed to the media to be objective and unbiased in their reportage, while avoiding fake news and inflammatory and sensational news.
He emphasised that the media must commit to delivering thorough, verified, and unbiased information, pulled from credible sources to the public.
Ajayi noted that they must refrain from reporting information that encourages divisions or antagonistic discussions, which are likely to incite violence or endanger social life.