The United States Government has urged the Nigerian media to keep a close watch on the utterances of leading politicians ahead of the February general elections.
The US Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria said the elections could not be successful in an atmosphere of uproar and that the electorate needed to be aware of the behaviour of anyone “threatening violence.”
US Consul General, Jeffrey Hawkins spoke in Lagos on Monday during the opening of a four-day training programme for journalists preparatory to the poll.
He said, “In the past two years, I have interacted extensively with journalists and I have commended them for their good work and in some circumstances challenged them to ask tough questions from public servants.
“And during this election season, your role in the support of your democracy is paramount. Ask politicians tough questions, do your research and analyse and inform the electorate.
“Are the politicians behaving responsibly? Are they threatening violence? The electorate has a right to know these things. Be a watchdog and hold leaders accountable.”
According to him, Nigerians have fought “long and hard” to earn democratic rights, adding that the electorate “want and deserve” a peaceful and credible election.
The American diplomat expressed concerns that “inflammatory rhetoric” sometimes makes it into the print media as well as the airwaves.
While advocating issue-based reporting, Hawkins stated that informing the electorate about what a candidate had done or pledged to do was more important to the average voter than “some personal attacks that we often see in the news media.”
He added, “By repeating inflammatory quotes, the news media may fuel tensions and hostilities. You as journalists must weigh the potential consequences of your reporting.
“Covering elections is a great professional challenge and you and your colleagues shoulder a heavy responsibility.
“Members of the fourth estate of the realm have a huge role to play and we are hoping that the 2015 elections
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