Media ethics, zoning dominate ASKOMP’s Kwara 2027 roundtable
The Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) on Friday held its maiden media roundtable on the 2027 general elections in Kwara State, with strong calls on journalists to uphold professionalism, ethics and objectivity ahead of the polls.
The event, which took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ilorin, had the theme: “Kwara 2027: Media, Politics and the Search for Credible Leadership.”
In his opening remarks, ASKOMP Chairman, Comrade Salihu Shola Taofeeq, said the engagement was necessary because political activities were already gathering momentum across the state, even though official campaigns were yet to commence.
He warned that propaganda, misinformation and sponsored narratives were already creeping into political discourse, stressing that journalists must resist sensationalism and political patronage.
“The media plays a decisive role in shaping public perception. Our responsibility is to strengthen democracy, not undermine it. Truth, accuracy, fairness and ethics must remain our core values,” Taofeeq said.
He added that with the growing influence of online platforms, elections are now contested beyond polling units, extending to social media timelines, blogs and digital news portals, where speed often competes with accuracy.
Speaking after his presentation, Deputy Director of the Institute for Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin, Dr Rafiu Bakare, said the roundtable was aimed at promoting objectivity among online journalists.
Bakare cautioned media practitioners against allowing emotions and personal sentiments to influence political reporting, noting that credible journalism is essential for informed decision-making and good governance.
Also speaking, the Kwara State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Babatunde Abdulwaheed, commended ASKOMP for organising the roundtable and urged journalists to adhere strictly to ethical standards.
He said biased reporting driven by political sympathies could erode public trust in the media, adding that credibility and reliability must remain the bedrock of journalism.
Abdulwaheed also attributed recent defections to the APC to what he described as the performance of President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, insisting that the party was not threatened by new entrants.
On zoning, the Acting Director of the Kwara State University Centre for Politics and Corporate Governance, Dr Ibrahim Ogirima Salawu, described the principle as one rooted in natural justice and inclusivity.
According to him, zoning plays a critical role in consolidating democracy and promoting equity in governance, but warned that it must not be used to justify incompetent leadership.
“Zoning should produce credible and capable leaders. Where it fails to deliver good governance, it should not be upheld at all costs,” Salawu said.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mallam Abdulrasheed Gbagba, said the state was witnessing a new political awakening.
He expressed optimism about the emergence of credible alternatives ahead of 2027, assuring that the ADC would present competent candidates to the electorate.
Participants at the roundtable agreed on the need for sustained engagement between media practitioners and political stakeholders to ensure credible elections and deepen democratic culture in Kwara State.
Leave a Reply