Kano Online Media Chapel Trains Journalists on Ethical Election Reporting Ahead of 2027 Polls

Members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Online Media Chapel (KOMC), have been urged to uphold professionalism, impartiality and ethical standards in reporting as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The charge 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 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 other stakeholders to strengthen journalists’ capacity in ethical election reporting, fact-checking, digital safety and personal security while covering political activities.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the Kano Online Media Chapel, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, described the training as timely, stressing that journalists play a critical role in safeguarding democracy through accurate, balanced and responsible reporting.

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He urged journalists to move beyond merely covering political rallies and campaign promises by focusing on issues that directly affect citizens, including education, healthcare, employment, security and youth development.

Dangambo also cautioned against sensational headlines, fake news and misinformation, urging media practitioners to verify information before publication and use their digital platforms to educate voters and promote peaceful elections.

“As Kano online journalists, we should be known for credibility, not clicks,” he said.

He further warned that the 2027 elections could be highly competitive, making journalists vulnerable to harassment, intimidation and online attacks, and therefore advised participants to prioritise digital security and personal safety while carrying out their professional duties.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, former Acting Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Usman Bello, described the workshop’s theme as timely, noting that journalists remain central to strengthening democracy through credible election coverage.

He said journalists are often exposed to intimidation, harassment, misinformation and physical attacks during elections, insisting that their safety must remain a priority.

“A democracy cannot thrive when journalists are not safe,” Bello said, urging media practitioners to remain truthful, impartial and ethical in their reporting.

He also appealed to security agencies to regard journalists as partners in the democratic process and called on governments and stakeholders to provide a safer working environment for media professionals.

Representing the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation, Comrade Suleiman Umar Jalo emphasised the importance of neutrality, fairness and professionalism in election reporting, warning against bias, sensationalism and misinformation capable of undermining public confidence or escalating political tension.

The workshop featured technical sessions delivered by seasoned media professionals.

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, presented a paper on “Ethical, Responsible Campaign and Election Reporting,” urging journalists to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, objectivity and balanced reporting throughout the electoral process.

He also encouraged participants to focus on issue-based journalism rather than inflammatory narratives capable of heightening political tension.

The Secretary of the Kano Online Media Chapel, Comrade Isyaku Ahmed, facilitated a session on “Fact-Checking,” where he highlighted the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation during election periods.

He urged journalists to verify information through credible sources and make effective use of fact-checking tools before publication to curb the spread of false information.

Participants described the workshop as timely and impactful, expressing confidence that the knowledge gained would enhance ethical political reporting, strengthen fact-checking practices and improve 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 promoting continuous professional development and responsible journalism among online media practitioners in Kano State.