2027: Journalists must know legal boundaries, ethical obligations —  Expert

The Kano Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has commenced its 2026 retreat in Kaduna, with a strong focus on the legal, security and ethical responsibilities of journalists ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The retreat, themed: “2027 General Elections: Navigating Legal, Security and Ethical Challenges in the Media,” brought together media practitioners to examine the challenges associated with election reporting and the responsibilities of the media in safeguarding the credibility of the electoral process.

Speaking on “Legal Boundaries and Ethical Obligations in Election Reporting,” Barrister Abdulsalam Yusuf urged journalists to familiarise themselves with the laws governing elections and the limits placed on media reporting.

Yusuf stressed that freedom of the press comes with corresponding responsibilities, particularly during politically sensitive periods.

According to him, journalists must understand the distinction between legitimate public-interest reporting and publications that could violate existing laws, damage reputations or threaten public peace.

“The media has a constitutional responsibility to inform the public, but that responsibility must be exercised within the boundaries of the law and professional ethics,” Yusuf said.

He advised journalists to exercise caution when reporting allegations, political claims and unverified information, stressing the importance of giving affected persons the opportunity to respond before publication.

“A journalist must not become a tool for spreading unverified allegations. Accuracy, fairness, balance and verification are essential, especially during an election when a single report can have serious consequences,” he said.

Yusuf further urged media practitioners to distinguish between facts, opinions and claims made by political actors, particularly in an era where social media platforms have accelerated the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

He noted that journalists had a duty to independently verify information before publishing or broadcasting it, regardless of the source.

“What a politician says at a rally is not automatically a fact simply because it was said publicly. The responsibility of the journalist is to verify the claim and present the public with accurate information,” he stated.

The legal practitioner also cautioned newsmen against hate speech, inflammatory reporting and language capable of escalating political tensions or inciting violence.

He said responsible election reporting should contribute to peaceful democratic participation rather than deepen divisions among political parties, candidates and their supporters.

The retreat also examined the security challenges confronting journalists during election periods, including threats, intimidation, harassment and other risks associated with covering political activities.

Participants were encouraged to prioritise their personal safety while maintaining professional independence and ensuring that security concerns do not compromise the quality and credibility of their reports.

Discussions at the retreat further focused on the importance of fact-checking, fairness, balance, responsible use of social media and adherence to professional codes of conduct.