IPC Launches Ai-Powered WhatsApp Reporting Tool To Safeguard Journalists Covering Osun Polls

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, the International Press Centre has activated a technology-driven safety mechanism to protect media professionals covering the exercise.

The system, known as WAFLO, is a WhatsApp-enabled artificial intelligence platform designed to track, document, and respond to incidents involving journalists throughout the electoral process.

IPC Executive Director, Mr Lanre Arogundade, described the tool as a real-time incident reporting and monitoring system specifically tailored to address threats, physical attacks, harassment, and other violations of press freedom.

He stated that the Osun election serves as a pilot phase for the initiative, adding that lessons learned from the deployment would inform a full-scale rollout during the 2027 general elections.

Arogundade emphasised that the primary goal of WAFLO is to ensure that no safety breach against journalists goes undocumented or unaddressed.

He noted that the platform would enable stakeholders to receive verified information swiftly, allowing for quicker intervention and stronger protection for media workers in the field.

He further explained that the system’s true value lies in its capacity to convert raw reports into actionable intelligence, thereby improving the overall security response during elections.

Journalists have been given clear instructions on how to access the reporting channel. They can activate the system by sending the word “safemedia” to the designated phone number 0805 877 8053.

The centre urged all journalists to take full advantage of this facility while also adhering to safety guidelines outlined in its Press Safety Advisory.

The initiative is being executed in partnership with the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme, specifically through its Media Phase Two component, alongside the Centre for Media and Society.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has also thrown its weight behind the project, with IPC acknowledging the cooperation of the Osun NUJ leadership in driving the technology-forward approach.

As part of the operational framework, IPC has appointed Melody Akinjiyan and Bukola Obaju’o as Press Freedom Officer and Safety Monitoring Officer respectively to oversee the real-time management of reports.

The centre also reminded journalists to carry valid accreditation, identification tags, and other official credentials throughout the election period. It advised them to stay alert, verify the identities of individuals they engage with, and remain cautious of potential obstructions from security operatives.

Beyond the media community, IPC called on security agencies, political parties, candidates, and other election stakeholders to respect the rights of journalists and allow them to discharge their duties without fear of intimidation or interference.

The centre reiterated that the success of the pilot scheme would not only benefit the Osun election but also lay the groundwork for a more robust media safety framework in future national polls.