2027: Kano government tasks journalists on responsive, responsible journalism

The Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), Umar Faruk Ibrahim, has called on journalists working in the state to avoid publishing materials capable of inflaming ethnic, religious, regional or political divisions.

The SSG made the call on Sunday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 retreat for Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Kaduna.

Represented by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mustapha Muhammad, the SSG said as the 2027 general election was fast approaching, election reporting should be guided by accuracy, fairness, impartiality, balance and the public interest.

“As journalists, we have a responsibility to avoid publishing materials capable of inflaming ethnic, religious, regional or political divisions. Election reporting should be guided by accuracy, fairness, impartiality, balance and the public interest,” he said.

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

He noted, “Political disagreements are normal in a democracy. However, disagreement should not be allowed to become hostility. Journalists must be particularly careful when reporting allegations, campaign speeches, inflammatory statements and clashes between political supporters.

“Statements capable of provoking violence should not be amplified merely because they are sensational. The media should also avoid headlines that distort the substance of a story simply to attract attention.

“In a state as large, diverse and politically significant as Kano, this responsibility becomes even more important. As the state approaches the 2027 general elections, journalists and media organisations must strike a careful balance between robust scrutiny of government and responsible reporting that recognises genuine developmental efforts,” he said.

“Above all, we must create an atmosphere conducive for peace and harmony to rain even after elections. Elections will come and go, our beloved city of Kano will remain. Let me congratulate the chapel once again for this retreat and the opportunity given to me to address you,” he added.

Earlier, the Kaduna state Commissioner of Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, commended the chapel for organising the event.