Osun 2018: Media remains determinant of political decisions -UNDP

By Owolabi Labode

The Country Director of United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), Mr Samuel Bwalya has declared that media, by its public obligation was the determinant of political decisions in any electoral process.


He said accessibility of  accurate information by the electorate through the media would build an informed electorate that could make a right choice for good governance.

Bwalya stated this on Monday,   during the opening ceremony of Conflict Sensitive Reportage Workshop organised for media practitioners ahead of gubernatorial election in Osun State,  slated for September 22.

According to him,  the people's trust is absolutely in the media as a means of getting to know the trend of socio-political events,  in which their lives depend upon for survival and growth. 

He opined that the notion behind the workshop was to design mechanism that will   participants to become more conscious and sensitive about their news reportage while being factual. 

Bwalya added that it is incumbent on the media to objectively identify news caption that can results into violence, and also promote conflict -sensitivs reporting culture.

"As many countries continue to embrace democracy as the legitimate form of enthroning governance through the decision of most of the population,  the need to accurately inform the people to make the right political decisions and choices should be prioritised. 

"The way the news media shun out this information is also instructive of the reactions that it will provoke from the people, hence the need for members of the fourth estate from Osun State and adjourning states to brainstorm and exchange ideas on how we can use our platforms to foster peace before,  during, and after the governorship election. 

"Media practitioners must be conscious of the fact that political news particularly around elections in Nigeria often evokes sentiments and frayed nerves in extreme results into violence. 

"It is our hope that this 3-day programme will complement , immensely,  UNDP contributions to Nigeria's sustainable development through credible,  free and fair elections that is devoid of violence and rancour in Osun,  and Nigeria at large. 


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