Vice President Kashim Shettima is scheduled to open the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference [ANEC] in Enugu on Thursday, September 24, as the Nigerian Guild of Editors[NGE] prepares to examine the media’s role in protecting democracy and countering election-related disinformation.
The two-day conference, the guild’s flagship annual gathering, will begin at 2 p.m. at The Dome International Conference Centre, Opara Square Road, Enugu, and continue through Friday, September 25.
The Vice President is expected to address editors and other participants on this year’s edition’s theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive”.
Discussions will also focus on the subtheme, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election”.
Vice President Shettima is expected to speak on democracy, elections, press freedom and national development, according to a statement signed by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is also scheduled to address the conference.
More than 500 editors from across Nigeria are expected to attend, alongside government officials, academics, civil-society representatives and other stakeholders.
The conference will examine national and global issues with implications for Nigeria’s social, economic and political development.
His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, will chair the event, while John Cardinal Onaiyekan, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, will deliver the keynote address.
Prof. Auwal Yadudu of Bayero University, Kano, will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability”.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association [NBA], will address “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts”.
Farooq A. Kperogi, a professor of journalism and emerging media at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, will examine how journalists can detect and debunk false information before, during and after elections.
The conference will also consider the security and ethical pressures facing journalists.
Martins Oloja, a former Managing Director and Editor-in-chief of The Guardian Newspapers, and columnist and activist Owei Lakemfa will discuss “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”
Prof. Chinyere Okunna, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, will address “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance”.
Dr. Richard Okoye, founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital in Port Harcourt, will speak on “Journalists’ mental and physical wellbeing, including stress, deadlines and personal health”.
The second day will feature an executive session at 12:30 p.m, during which editors will engage governors, political-party leaders and heads of government agencies and parastatals on issues of national importance.
The guild said the conference would provide a forum for developing practical ways to strengthen democratic governance, promote national development and advance nation-building through responsible journalism.
It will also allow media leaders to assess threats to democracy, consider the media’s role in protecting credible elections and explore ways to rebuild public trust in democratic institutions.
The conference is supported by the Enugu State government, UNESCO, Craneburg, NNPC, Zenith Bank, the Nigerian Communications Commission[ NCC] and other organizations.
