Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has said that Nigerian journalists have a critical role to play in ensuring free and fair elections next year.

The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani made this disclosure in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday.

Rafsanjani while speaking at a one-day “journalists’ training on prioritizing anti-corruption and accountability issues during the upcoming 2023 elections”, insisted that journalists can make or mar the exercise through their reportage.

The Executive Director, who spoke through CISLAC Director of Legal, Barrister Adesina Oke noted that the role of journalists in ensuring free and fair elections cannot be over emphasised.

He said, “journalists play critical role in the development of any nation.

“It is the journalists that help us to disseminate information to the public and help to form opinion which can make or mar.

“If the information is false, it can destroy the nation, but if it is true, it can help to shape the nation.

“The vital role of journalists cannot be over-emphasized. All of you here are representatives of various media organisations in the country.

“This programme is a brainstorming not a training because if you have not been trained, you will not be here.

“We want you to prioritise issues of anti-corruption and accountability as we approach the 2023 general elections. This is to ensure free and fair elections.

“The aim of this brainstorming is to let you know that you have critical role to play in ensuring accountability during the elections”.

Other speakers at the training included Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Council, Mr. Ademola Babalola, Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspapers, Abuja, Dr. Bridget Onochie and Mr. Taiwo Adebayo Hassan, Editor Investigation, Premium Times.