The legal framework for media coverage of elections in Nigeria is contained in the Electoral Act 2002 and the National Broadcasting Code1.  The Code provides extensive guidelines for political coverage by broadcasting stations and contains a range of sanctions, which may be imposed on a station for any breach of the guidelines contained in it.  These include the revocation of its licence if it commits a serious breach of either the technical or non-technical aspects of the Code, reprimand or warning, light or heavy fine, reduction of broadcast hours or suspension of licence, depending on the gravity of the offence.

On 14 July 2006, the International Press Centre commissioned me to carry out within a three-week period, an assessment of the state of journalism education, conflict-sensitive reporting and media responsibility in Nigeria in relation to print-media coverage of recent religion-related conflicts.
This report is the outcome of my inquiry into the state of conflict-sensitive journalism and media responsibility in relation to print-media coverage of religion-related conflicts in Nigeria. This report details my findings, conclusions and recommendations. A separate report contains my findings on the extent of conflict-appreciation and conflict awareness in currently available journalism education in Nigeria.

This Media Reform Manifesto is intended to serve as a handbook to assist journalists, media organizations and media groups in the onerous tasks of reporting, analyzing and commenting on conflicts generally and the coverage of elections in particular. It examines the ethical and professional issues inherent in the processes. Much of the content deal with the review of the 2003 general elections in the country and guidelines for election coverage in general.

The Nigerian media has been variously described as having come of age since Iwe Irohin, founded and published by the Missionary, Henry Townsend heralded its advent, in Abeokuta way back in 1859. The Nigerian media is said to be very vibrant and indeed is acclaimed to be the most vibrant on the African continent. Politically, it was accorded a leadership role in the series of agitations, campaigns, protests and acts of defiance that led to the end of both colonial and military rule. Some have ventured to say that without the media, there would be no democracy in Nigeria today.