Journalists have been urged not to allow politicians and political parties to dictate the issues that dominate public discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A professor of Political Science, from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Tanko Yahaya Baba, gave the charge on Saturday while delivering a paper titled, “Journalism and Political Campaigns: Between Public Interest and Political Influence,” at the Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Congress held at the Press Centre, Zuru Road, Sokoto.
Baba said journalists had a responsibility to identify issues of public interest and place them before political parties and candidates for response during election campaigns.
He argued that the media should go beyond reporting campaign activities and speeches by scrutinising the programmes, promises and policies of political actors.
“The role of the media primarily has to set the agenda. Political parties may have their manifestos, programmes and campaign policies, but it is the media that will articulate the priorities of the people and present them to the parties, politicians and candidates,” he said.
The professor identified insecurity and the economy among the issues that should receive sustained media attention ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, journalists should not wait for political parties to determine what issues deserve public attention.
“Security is primary to public interest. Nothing is above security. Without security, there is no society, no stability, no prosperity and no development,” Baba said.
He added, “If security is not top on the agenda of all political parties and candidates, the fault is ours, journalists. We did not set it on the agenda.”
Baba also warned journalists against allowing political interests to compromise professional standards, saying election periods were usually associated with hate speech, misinformation, false claims and character assassination.
He urged journalists to remain accurate, principled, independent and professional while covering political parties, candidates and interest groups.
“In reporting the activities of individuals, groups, coalitions and parties in their determination to influence the public, the media must not only be accurate and articulate, but must also be principled, professional and independent,” he said.
He said the media remained an important link between citizens and government and had a responsibility to provide reliable information that would enable citizens to make informed decisions.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Sokoto State Council, Usman Mohammed Binji, said the council had continued to strengthen the capacity of journalists through training on conflict-sensitive reporting, fact-checking and artificial intelligence.
He urged journalists to maintain neutrality and fairness as political activities gathered momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
Binji also warned journalists against taking unnecessary risks in the course of their duties.
“No story is worth losing a journalist’s life,” he said, advising journalists to ensure adequate security before attending events in potentially unsafe locations.
Representing the Director of the National Broadcasting Commission, Tasiu Malami, an official of the commission said broadcasters had a responsibility to provide platforms for political debate while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
He urged journalists and broadcasters to uphold accuracy, fairness, professionalism and public interest, warning against the use of the media to promote political influence or misinformation.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Sambo Bello Danchadi, who was the Special Guest of Honour, described the theme of the congress as relevant to the 2027 electoral cycle.
Danchadi urged journalists to uphold editorial independence, objectivity and professional ethics, stressing the need for accurate and verified information during election campaigns.
He said, “As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, this discussion is both necessary and relevant because the media remains a vital pillar of democracy and a trusted bridge between the government and the people.”
