Credible Journalism Can Influence Credible Elections – Danbatta

As the campaigns and build-up to the 2023 general elections thicken, the executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said the media holds the ace in making a difference in promoting credible elections in Nigeria.

Danbatta told the gathering of the cream of Nigerian editors at the 18th All Nigeria Editors Conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at the Concord Hotels in Owerri, Imo State, with the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma in attendance, where he reiterated the importance of the roles of the journalists, before, during and after the 2023 elections.

In Danbatta’s goodwill to the conference, delivered by the director, Public Affairs of the Commission, Reuben Muoka, he expressed the confidence that the vibrant Nigerian media, credited with its sterling performance from the history of struggle for the country’s political independence, where Nigerian nationalists, who were good journalists made “brilliant and courageous outing”, will work in the interest of the nation.

Speaking to the theme of the conference, "2023: Political Landscape, Credible Elections and the Role of the Editors", Danbatta declared that good journalism is critical to sustainable democratic culture as political stability is enhanced by conduct of successful elections.

The NCC boss said he “believes the editors will leave the conference with resolutions setting clear, unambiguous and very robust parameters to guide the role of the media in the forthcoming elections in a fair, objective and balanced manner.