Akanni said this during a lecture organized by the All Nigerian United Nations Students and Youth Association’s Conference, University of Ibadan Chapter.
Akanni posited: “There is no gainsaying that the media has a big role to play, not only in ensuring that elections are transparent, but in ensuring also that the outcome of any given election reflects the true wishes of the people.”
The event, which was held at Alumni Auditorium, University of Ibadan on Thursday, had the theme: “The Role Of The Media In Ensuring People’s Vote Count.”
Akanni said: “The media are responsible for providing information, education and entertainment. The word media was first used in reference to books and newspapers, that is the print media. But with the advent of technology, media now encompasses television, movies, radio and the internet.”
“A free and fair election is not only about the freedom to vote and the knowledge of how to cast a vote, but also about a participatory process where voters engage in public debate and have adequate information about parties, policies, candidates and the election process itself in order to make informed choices. The media acts as a watchdog to democratic elections, safeguarding the transparency of the process.”He pointed out that the watchdog role of the media naturally comes to bear at election periods, adding: “It is safe to propagate therefore that the media is essential to democracy, and a democratic election is impossible without it.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Oyo State, Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, who was the Keynote Speaker at the event, urged politicians to shun violence, while urging youths not to be malleable tools in the hands of the political parties.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the National Orientation Agency, Alhaji Kehinde Isiaka, representing the State Director of the agency, Dolapo Dosunmu, spoke on vote buying, urging students not to be part of the political scandal that is presently rocking the nation’s political space.
Present at the event were Dr. Yemi Faronbi; the gubernatorial candidates of National Interest Party, Princess Bolanle Ashabi Sarumi Aliyu; Engr Akinwale Omololu Laosun of African Action Congress; Akande Akin Sanyaolu of Peoples Democratic Change; and Prof. M.O. Abdulrahman, among others.
No comments:
Post a Comment