The International Press Centre (IPC) has unveiled a WhatsApp-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) incident reporting system, WAFLO, to enable journalists report and document incidents affecting their safety and press freedom during the Osun State governorship election.
The Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Arogundade said the deployment of WAFLO for the Osun election was a pilot scheme designed to facilitate the real-time reporting, verification and monitoring of incidents involving journalists and other media professionals, including assaults, threats and other infringements on press freedom.
According to him, the platform is aimed at ensuring that incidents affecting journalists do not go unnoticed or unreported, while providing stakeholders with actionable information to enable prompt responses to threats and attacks.
He said WAFLO would subsequently be upgraded and expanded for full deployment during the 2027 general elections, adding that the objective was to strengthen the safety of journalists and enable them to carry out their professional duties without fear.
“WAFLO provides journalists with a WhatsApp-enabled, AI-assisted reporting channel through which they can report press freedom and safety incidents as they occur,” Arogundade said.
Journalists can access the reporting channel through the SafeMedia WhatsApp prompt at https://dub.sh/safemedia or by sending “safemedia” via WhatsApp to 0805 877 8053.
The IPC Executive Director said the initiative was part of the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two (EU-SDGN II) Component 4: Support to Media programme, being implemented by the IPC and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He also urged journalists covering the election to ensure they are properly accredited and carry their identification cards, press/media tags and other relevant credentials to minimise unnecessary questioning, identity checks and possible obstruction.
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Arogundade called on security agencies, political actors, election stakeholders and other relevant authorities to respect the rights of journalists to perform their constitutional and professional responsibilities without intimidation, harassment or undue interference.
He appreciated the leadership of the Osun NUJ for supporting the technology-driven approach to documenting and responding to attacks on journalists.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
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