The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission has condemned what it called sloppy and junk reporting among journalists.
The commission, which harped on strict adherence to the provisions of the 2010 Electoral Act, charged media practitioners to uphold the ethics of their profession.
The Chairman of the commission, Moses Ogbe, who spoke at the maiden DSIEC/Nigeria Union Journalists Workshop in Asaba, said the standard of reporting expected of journalists during elections does not permit yellow journalism.
According to Ogbe, of necessity, every report before, during and after every election must pass through the most thorough soul search to ensure that what is released for public consumption is factual and presented in a manner as would not cause undue anxiety in individuals and society at large.
While he said journalists are expected to undertake self-regulation, he added that the commission as a “media-consumer” is concerned about what is taken into account in what is published or broadcast.
He said: “A piece of information has to be analyzed critically in terms of source and veracity among others.
“For example, has the election result to be released by the journalist been duly authorized by the appropriate body or person?”
The state Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Norbert Chiazor, commended the electoral body for steps taken so far to ensure that the October 25 council poll is free, fair and credible.
Chiazor promised that the partnership between journalists in the state and the commission, in the area of balanced reporting, would be sustained.
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