INEC Chairman Links Journalists’ Welfare To Media Independence, Democratic Integrity
THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has called for improved welfare for Nigerian journalists, arguing that the economic security of media workers is closely connected to newsroom independence and democratic accountability.
Amupitan made the call on Thursday while delivering opening remarks at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, themed, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.”
He said journalists facing extreme financial insecurity, unpaid salaries and inadequate welfare could become more vulnerable to political inducement, misinformation and other pressures capable of undermining professional journalism.
The INEC Chairman appealed to managing directors, publishers, chief executive officers and media owners to treat staff welfare as a strategic priority rather than an administrative afterthought.
According to him, journalists who enjoy decent working conditions are better positioned to maintain professional independence, reject financial inducements and scrutinise information without compromising journalistic standards.
He said media welfare should therefore be regarded as part of the broader effort to protect democratic institutions.
Represented at the event by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, Amupitan drew a parallel with INEC’s own efforts to improve the welfare and operational conditions of its workforce.
The INEC Chairman said the Commission had established the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), taking effect from January 1, 2026, to reflect the specialised nature of election administration.
He also disclosed that an upgraded salary and welfare package for INEC staff, Commission members and Resident Electoral Commissioners was at an advanced stage.
According to Amupitan, the Commission increased overhead allocations to its state offices by 150 per cent from July 1, 2026, to strengthen operational capacity at state and local government levels.
He said the measures were designed to provide personnel with better institutional support while reducing pressures that could affect the conduct of their responsibilities.
Amupitan said the media and electoral management bodies had complementary responsibilities in protecting democracy.
He noted that Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, assigns the press, radio, television and other mass media responsibility for holding government accountable to the people, adding that editors therefore occupy an important position in determining what enters public discourse, how political issues are presented and what information reaches citizens.
The INEC Chairman urged journalists to scrutinise electoral rules, political claims, administrative performance and election results while maintaining professional standards.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who also addressed the conference, urged journalists to report government performance with the same discipline applied to other public institutions.
Idris said responsible journalism should neither exaggerate government achievements nor ignore them, but should examine policies, verify claims and provide citizens with sufficient context to understand both progress and shortcomings.
He also urged the media to avoid becoming part of political contests, saying journalists should establish what is true rather than simply amplify politically attractive claims.
Both officials emphasised the importance of professional journalism in providing citizens with credible information and strengthening democratic accountability as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
