Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, CG NSCDC

The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Zamfara State command, Muhammad Bello Muazu, said as the date for the 2023 general election draws nearer, the media remains the only hope for the common man.

The Commandant stated this during a workshop titled, “Capacity building and the role of media in news reportage in the 2023 general elections” organised by the state NSCDC command.

He stressed that the media played an invaluable role in ensuring the survival of democracy in the country.

He said, the whole nation heavily relied on the media to furnish the general public with information during and after the elections.

“The media is the hope of the common man.

“Whatever information made available to the public domain could either build confidence or create panic.

“Hence, it is sacrosanct for the media to jettison breaking news that could break the heart, rather than embrace ones that will give hope and confidence to the common man in the street.”

Muazu maintained that the media was the only linkage to passing information to the general public during and after the elections.

He, therefore, called on journalists to discharge their duties in accordance with the ethics of their profession.

He advised them to avoid fake news so as not to confuse the general public on election results.

Muazu assured the general public that, his command was ever ready to provide maximum security during and after the elections.

In his response, the state’s NUJ chairman, Ibrahim Musa Maizare, commended the Commandant for organising the workshop describing it as timely.