Members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kano State Online Media Chapel (KOMC) have been urged to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, impartiality and ethical reporting as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The call was made during a one-day capacity-building workshop on “Political Campaign Reporting, Election Coverage and Journalists’ Safety in Kano State,” organised by the Kano Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in partnership with the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation (AMGF) at the NUJ Secretariat in Kano on Wednesday.
The workshop brought together online journalists, media professionals and stakeholders to strengthen journalists’ capacity in responsible election reporting, fact-checking and personal safety while covering political activities.
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In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Kano Online Media Chapel, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, described the training as timely, noting that journalists have a critical responsibility in safeguarding democracy through accurate and responsible reporting.
According to him, the training focuses on improving election coverage while equipping journalists with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves during assignments.
“Kano politics is vibrant and sometimes tense. If we get the reporting right, we strengthen democracy. If we get it wrong, misinformation can spread in minutes and cause real harm,” he said.
Dangambo urged journalists to move beyond reporting campaign rallies and political slogans by focusing on issues that directly affect the electorate, including employment, education, healthcare, security and the growing menace of drug abuse among young people.
He challenged participants to ask candidates issue-based questions, verify information before publication and ensure balanced coverage of all political actors.
The chapel chairman also cautioned against sensational headlines and the spread of fake news, saying online journalists must use their digital platforms to educate voters, debunk misinformation and promote peaceful elections.
“We have speed and reach, but that’s also our biggest test. As Kano online journalists, we should be known for credibility, not clicks,” he said.
Dangambo further warned that indications suggest the 2027 elections could be highly competitive, making journalists vulnerable to harassment, intimidation and online attacks.
He urged participants to take sessions on digital security, source protection and journalists’ safety seriously, stressing that no story was worth risking one’s life.
He also called for greater unity among members of the chapel, encouraging them to share verified information, report threats and uphold ethical standards throughout the election period.
“As a chapel, we are stronger together. When we speak with one voice for professionalism, authorities and the public listen,” he added.
Delivering his remarks as Special Guest of Honour, former Acting Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Usman Bello, described the workshop’s theme as timely as the country prepares for the next general elections.
He said elections remain the foundation of democracy, while journalists play a central role in informing voters, monitoring electoral processes and holding institutions accountable.
According to him, election coverage extends from political party primaries through campaigns, voting, declaration of results and post-election litigation.
He noted that throughout the process, journalists are often exposed to intimidation, harassment, misinformation, online abuse and physical attacks.
“A democracy cannot thrive when journalists are not safe,” Bello declared.
He urged journalists to uphold professional ethics by reporting truthfully, remaining neutral and prioritising their personal safety.
“No story is worth your life,” he advised.
Bello also appealed to security agencies to regard journalists as partners in the democratic process rather than adversaries and called on governments and other stakeholders to provide a safer working environment for media practitioners through training, protection and prompt action against attacks on journalists.
Representing the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation, Comrade Suleiman Umar Jalo emphasised the need for journalists to remain neutral, ethical and fair in reporting political activities and elections.
He urged media practitioners to avoid bias, sensationalism and misinformation capable of undermining public confidence or escalating political tension, stressing that balanced and objective journalism remains essential to credible elections.
The workshop featured technical sessions by seasoned media professionals.
Former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, delivered a presentation on “Ethical, Responsible Campaign and Election Reporting.”
He urged journalists to adhere strictly to the ethics of the profession by ensuring accuracy, fairness, objectivity and balanced reporting throughout the electoral process.
Abbas also encouraged participants to focus on issue-based reporting instead of inflammatory narratives capable of creating unnecessary tension.
In another presentation, the Secretary of the Kano Online Media Chapel, Isyaku Ahmed, trained participants on “Fact-Checking,” highlighting the increasing threat posed by misinformation and disinformation during election periods.
He encouraged journalists to verify every piece of information before publication, rely on credible sources and make effective use of fact-checking tools to prevent the spread of false information.
Participants described the workshop as timely and beneficial, expressing confidence that the knowledge acquired would improve the quality of political reporting while promoting ethical journalism and enhancing journalists’ safety ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisers expressed appreciation to the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation, resource persons and participants for supporting the initiative, reaffirming their commitment to continuous professional development for online journalists in Kano State.