Election 2024: Don’t be used as conduits for election mishaps – Media practitioners cautioned
Media practitioners in Ghana have been cautioned not to be used as conduits for election mishaps before, during and after the December 7 general elections.
In order to do this, the media must refrain from providing platforms and airtime to political figures whose statements could jeopardize the nation’s peace and security.
The caution was given by the Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission of Ghana ( EC), Francis Osei-Nsiah during a media training organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The one day program held in Kumasi on Thursday, October 10, 2024, was on the theme “Enhancing Media Capacity for Fact-based Reportage and Countering Elections-Related Mis/Disinformation”.
The training, according to MFWA, was aimed at enhancing the capacity and understanding of the media on electoral processes to ensure fact-based reporting and programming.
“Media professionals should exercise caution when spreading material produced by political figures that have tendencies of interfering with election procedures and creating instability in the nation’s peace,” he stated.
Osei-Nsiah went on, “Every information must be fact-checked to ensure its credibility before being disseminated.”
In addition to reminding media professionals of their responsibilities to ensure peaceful elections, Mr. Osei-Nsiah emphasized the significance of impartial and biased coverage of the polls on December 7.
“During the Election Day, journalists must make sure information put across to the public is not inaccurate, so as not to create chaos and violence to disrupt the elections,” he stated.
Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
