The Institute for Media and Society organized a two-day activity titled “Sharing on Good Practices and Trends on Inclusive Coverage of the Electoral Process” in Abuja on February 6th and 7th, 2023. The activity aimed to improve media engagement in promoting women, youths, and marginalized groups in politics and to address gaps and challenges in the inclusive coverage of the electoral process.
The event brought together 20 participants from various media organizations, and through experience-sharing and interview sessions, many participants learned better ways to contribute to inclusive coverage of the electoral process. The activity also provided an opportunity to consolidate the use of relevant skills and strengthen self-regulation and compliance with industry guidelines on inclusion matters.
Notable personalities who graced the event included Prof. Ogwezzy Abigail Ndisika, Dr Ganiyat Adenle, Dr Wole Oladapo, Joy Odigie, Doris Olumoko, Ufuoma Egbamuno, and Mrs Olufisoye Adenitan, a gender advocate and journalist with FRCN, Akure.
During the activity, the importance of promoting the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other marginalized groups in the media was emphasized. The challenges faced by journalists in promoting inclusion in their reportage were also identified, and solutions on how to overcome these challenges were listed. Participants were able to ask questions and clarify issues bothering on modeling good practices on inclusive coverage of the electoral process.
Additionally, participants presented suggestions on how to promote inclusive coverage of the electoral process in Nigeria for PWDs, women, and youths, which were accepted and adopted by all. The recommendations provided by the inclusion community and other stakeholders will help drive further engagements toward improving democratic governance in Nigeria.
The activity contributed to achieving an improved inclusive coverage of the electoral process and also contributed to the overall aim of improving media engagement in promoting women, youths, and marginalized groups in politics. The event provided an avenue for media organizations to strengthen their platforms for better coverage of inclusion in the electoral process through sharing good practices and trends.
