A legal practitioner, Barrister Abdulsalam Yusuf, has urged journalists to familiarise themselves with the laws governing elections and the legal limits placed on media reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yusuf made the call while presenting a paper titled “Legal Boundaries and Ethical Obligations in Election Reporting” at the 2026 Retreat of the NUJ Kano Correspondents Chapel in Kaduna.
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The retreat, themed “2027 General Elections: Navigating Legal, Security and Ethical Challenges in the Media,” brought together journalists and media practitioners to examine the legal, security and ethical challenges associated with election reporting and the role of the media in safeguarding the credibility of the electoral process.
He stressed that freedom of the press comes with corresponding responsibilities, particularly during politically sensitive periods, urging journalists to understand the distinction between legitimate public-interest reporting and publications that could violate existing laws, damage reputations or threaten public peace.
“The media has a constitutional responsibility to inform the public, but that responsibility must be exercised within the boundaries of the law and professional ethics,” Yusuf said.
The legal practitioner advised journalists to exercise caution when reporting allegations, political claims and unverified information, stressing the importance of giving affected persons the opportunity to respond before publication.
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“A journalist must not become a tool for spreading unverified allegations. Accuracy, fairness, balance and verification are essential, especially during an election when a single report can have serious consequences,” he said.
Yusuf also urged media practitioners to distinguish between facts, opinions and claims made by political actors, particularly as social media platforms continue to accelerate the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
He said journalists have a duty to independently verify information before publishing or broadcasting it, regardless of the source, noting that statements made by politicians at campaign rallies should not automatically be treated as facts.
“What a politician says at a rally is not automatically a fact simply because it was said publicly. The responsibility of the journalist is to verify the claim and present the public with accurate information,” he stated.
Yusuf further cautioned journalists against hate speech, inflammatory reporting and language capable of escalating political tensions or inciting violence, urging the media to promote peaceful democratic participation rather than deepen divisions among political parties, candidates and their supporters.
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The retreat also examined security challenges confronting journalists during election periods, including threats, intimidation and harassment. Participants were encouraged to prioritise their personal safety while maintaining professional independence and the credibility of their reports.
Discussions at the retreat further focused on fact-checking, fairness, balance, responsible use of social media and adherence to professional codes of conduct, with the organisers expressing optimism that the programme would strengthen journalists’ capacity to navigate legal, security and ethical challenges while contributing to peaceful elections and informed public participation.