Ahead of the November 11 off-cycle election in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa, the International Press Centre, Lagos, has urged journalists and media practitioners to prioritise their safety as they are discharging their duties throughout the electioneering period.

In a statement issued by Melody Akinjinyan, IPC Press freedom officer on Thursday, the organisation noted that journalists who are on duty for the election are expected to be security conscious while they are covering election in the respective states.

In his admonition to the journalists and media practitioners on duty, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Mr Lanre Arogundade pointed at the several reports of violence and conflict emanating from the states where the polls will be taking place as the politicians from the states are making accusation.

He also urged the media practioners and journalists on duty to follow the security protocols to ensure their safety while doing their jobs. “It is very important for reporters covering the off-cycle governorship election to be safety conscious while discharging their duties, particularly by knowing when and how to retreat from dangerous situations”, Mr Arogundade added, urging the journalists to internalise the following tips: Be non-partisan;Dress smart;Don’t walk or move alone;

Don INEC accreditation card and have your organisational identity card on you as well;

Cover violent situations from a reasonable distance and retreat as quickly as possible; andMaintain contact with your editors and close relations; and

Report any threat to the Police, your news medium and your professional bodies

He also admonished other stakeholders, especially the security agencies to undertake their tasks in a very professional manner, urging the Inspector General of Police to put measures in place to ensure the protection of the rights of accredited journalists because the media is a critical part of the electoral process and journalists should be accorded due rights and privileges to enable them to carry out their social obligations as partners in electoral credibility.

“Other stakeholders, including election observers,, should also proactively provide journalists covering the elections with accurate information to ensure that all work together for the success of the elections”, Mr. Arogundade also stated.

The IPC director further mentioned that the IPC Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists as part of initiatives to keep tab on the safety of journalists during the elections, adding that the centre would monitor the safety or journalists during the election

He said “IPC’s Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists would monitor and operate a situation room to be managed 24/7 by press freedom and safety alert officers to whom any journalist who is under threat or attack can report. Those to be contacted and their numbers are:Melody Akinjiyan (Press Freedom Officer, IPC) –08132776441 http://bit.ly/IPCALERT1

Olutoyin Ayoade (Communication Officer, IPC) – 08114503887 http://bit.ly/IPCALERT2 Adeola Olanrewaju (Media Monitor, IPC) – 08128241359

http://bit.ly/IPCALERT4”.