In a proactive move ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged media professionals to step up their role in tackling the spread of false information. The call came from the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, during a dialogue session in Osogbo on Tuesday.
The event, titled “The Journalists-INEC Voter Education and Publicity Dialogue on the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election,” was organized by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria program in collaboration with INEC headquarters. It aimed to equip journalists with strategies for responsible reporting as the election approaches.
Babalola emphasized that the media is a vital partner in voter education, information sharing, and public awareness, especially with the election date fast approaching. She highlighted that misinformation and disinformation represent serious risks to credible elections in today’s digital landscape, as false stories, fabricated results, manipulated videos, and malicious propaganda can undermine trust in the electoral process, spark violence, and delegitimize outcomes.
She urged journalists to verify facts before publishing and to actively counter false reports with accurate, balanced coverage. “We must therefore work together to build a robust defence against these threats. The media must serve as gatekeepers of truth, verifying information before dissemination and countering falsehoods with factual reporting,” Babalola stated.
She also reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to providing timely, accurate, and verifiable information through its official channels and encouraged journalists to depend on those platforms and collaborate with the commission to address misleading reports.
Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society, also addressed the gathering. He called on journalists to fulfill their duty of educating citizens about their roles before, during, and after the election, while also scrutinizing campaign promises and monitoring INEC’s preparedness. He urged media practitioners not to remain passive observers but to “reflect, interrogate, and rank. And your perspectives will reach further than you may expect.”