Journalists in Katsina State have been advised to avoid reporting controversial figures during the forthcoming 2023 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC).
Mr Ayinde Razaq, the Head of Public Affairs Department of the NPC, gave the advice in a paper presented at a one-day capacity building workshop organised for journalists on Thursday in Katsina.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the title of the paper was, ‘How to generate contents on the 2023 population and housing census’.
According to him, if journalists avoid reporting controversial figures during the exercise scheduled for March 29 to April 1, it will make the census more credible and accurate.
He explained that, “The aims and objectives of the training were to improve the capacity of journalists to effectively and professionally report the processes and outcomes of the 2023 Census.
“The specific objectives are to increase the quantity of media coverage of the 2023 Census through multiplicity of sources of information on the census.
“To improve the quality of media contents on the 2023 Census in terms of professional and informed reporting of the 2023 Census.
It will “build the capacity of journalists in the mainstreaming of census processes and outcomes in media reporting and receive feedback and suggestions from the journalists on preparations for the exercise”.
Earlier, the NPC state’s Director, Malam Ishaq Lawal, said the training, organised by their national headquarters, was also to officially accredit journalists that will be positively reporting census activities in the state.
According to him, the commission is fully prepared, as it has recruited over 28,000 ad hoc staff that would conduct the census across the 34 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
Also, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State chapter, Alhaji Tukur Dan-Ali, commended the NPC for organising such a capacity building workshop for journalists.
Four other papers were also presented during the training. (NAN)
