The International Press Centre (IPC) has urged the Nigerian media to play a transformative role in rebuilding citizens’ trust in the country’s electoral process, describing journalists as central to strengthening democracy and accountability.
The appeal was made by Mrs Stella Nwofia, IPC’s Programme Manager, during the public presentation of the Report on Electoral Trust and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) on Monday in Abuja.
The event, supported under the EU-SDGN II Component 4: Support to Media, focused on the media’s responsibility to counter misinformation and promote transparency in governance.
Nwofia emphasised that trust in Nigeria’s elections depends heavily on the integrity of information shared with the public. “The media must serve as both the mirror and mediator of society — reflecting realities while fostering dialogue and inclusion,” she said.
According to her, findings from IPC’s multi-stakeholder dialogue series held across the country between 2023 and 2025 revealed that citizens’ faith in democratic institutions remains fragile, often undermined by disinformation, institutional opacity, and political interference.
She noted that although the introduction of digital voting tools and expanded civic education had improved the process, challenges of perception and transparency persisted. “The 2023 general elections drew intense scrutiny from local and international observers, underscoring the need for a stronger culture of accountability,” she added.
Nwofia said the newly signed MoU was designed to promote ethical, gender-sensitive and citizen-focused journalism. “It sets clear performance standards to ensure inclusive, professional coverage of electoral processes,” she explained.
Quoting leadership expert Stephen Covey, she concluded: “Trust is the glue of life. It binds communication and sustains relationships. The media must uphold this trust if democracy is to thrive.”
