He said the critical role the media plays in the conduct of elections cannot be underplayed as the fourth estate of the realm and as the gatekeeper, media must be ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

Prof Yakubu said this at the opening of a two-day capacity training workshop which aims at developing and sustaining media interest in the delivery of credible, transparent and peaceful elections in the sub-region.

The workshop, held under the theme: “Professional Reporting of Elections,” is being organized by ECONEC and ECOWAS in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ECONEC workshop also seeks to build the capacity media professionals in elections management and reporting, general support and advocacy necessary for the media to become an indispensable participant stakeholder in the democratic process within the ECOWAS region.

Prof Yakubu said Election Management Bodies (EMBs) always need the media to sensitize, mobilise and sustain the interest of the citizens in the process.

“The media remains the most reliable instrument through which all electoral issues involving participation,” he said.

On the foreign interference with domestic elections through the internet, Prof Yakubu said o “this is a serious concern not only in developing democracies such as ours but also in older and more developed ones”.

He said in spite of the challenges, ECONEC would continue to promote peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in our sub-region.

The training will also involve media mapping, respect for international standards, message development, peace-building and avoidance of conflict inciting reporting, critical for responsible media   systems   for   effective   contribution   to   electoral   integrity   and development of the democratic process in the region.

Participants at the event would receive reorientation on professional ethics and best practices on media reporting during elections and the role of the media throughout the electoral cycle.

It is also a platform to engage with journalists in the conventional and social media sectors focusing on their constitutional and social responsibilities for the protection of national security and promotion of democracy and good governance in the region.

It also serve as the basis to create a corps of well-informed media professionals with requisite skills in election reporting; contribute to the creation of an enlightened electorate, who are able to make informed choices in the election of their leaders for the promotion of credible, transparent and peaceful elections, democracy and good governance in the ECOWAS region.

Build   mutually   beneficial   relationship   between   the   media   and   other stakeholders   including   political   leadership,   security   agencies,   Election management   Bodies   (EMBs),   civil   society   and   development   partners   to promote credible elections and good governance in the region.

By Francis Ameyibor, GNA Special Correspondent Abuja, Nigeria