The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged media practitioners in Osun State to play a proactive role in curbing the spread of fake news ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election. The appeal was made on Tuesday in Osogbo by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, during a dialogue titled “The Journalists-INEC Voter Education and Publicity Dialogue on the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.” The event, organized by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme in collaboration with INEC headquarters, aimed to strengthen media engagement in the electoral process.
Babalola emphasized the media’s critical role in ensuring the credibility of the election through accurate, responsible, and timely reporting. She highlighted that journalists are essential partners in voter education, public enlightenment, and information dissemination, especially as the election date approaches. With the rise of digital platforms, she warned that misinformation and disinformation pose serious threats to the integrity of democratic processes.
“False narratives, fake results, doctored videos, and malicious propaganda have the capacity to undermine public confidence in the electoral process, incite violence, and delegitimise outcomes,” Babalola stated. She called on journalists to verify all information before publication and to actively challenge false reports with factual, balanced, and evidence-based coverage. The REC stressed that the media must act as gatekeepers of truth, ensuring that the public receives reliable information during the electoral season.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely, accurate, and verifiable information through its official communication channels. Babalola urged journalists to rely on these platforms and to collaborate with the commission in addressing misleading reports. She also noted that the dialogue offered an opportunity to develop culturally sensitive and accessible voter education strategies that can reach residents in languages and formats they understand easily.
Earlier in the event, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society, encouraged journalists to take their responsibilities seriously. He urged them to educate citizens about their roles before, during, and after the election, while also scrutinizing campaign promises and monitoring INEC’s preparedness. “Reflect, interrogate, and rank. And your perspectives will reach further than you may expect,” he said, stressing the power of media in shaping public discourse.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2026 governorship election in Osun, the partnership between INEC and the media will be crucial in ensuring transparency, public trust, and a peaceful electoral process.
Leave a Comment