The Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has urged journalists to maintain professionalism, and prioritise fact-checking in their reporting, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming general elections.
Speaking at a workshop organised in collaboration with the Private Newspaper and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), she emphasized the crucial role of the media in preserving the peace, stability, and security of the country by avoiding misinformation and disinformation.
The workshop, on the theme “Empowering journalists for credible elections: Enhancing reporting and fact-checking skills,” aimed to equip journalists with the necessary skills to report accurately amidst changing trends in journalism.
The Minister of Information noted that the spread of misinformation in the media landscape had become a significant concern, with some media houses failing to verify the accuracy of their reports before publication.
She urged journalists to differentiate themselves from bloggers and untrained individuals by adhering to professional standards and ethical guidelines.
The Minister highlighted the importance of journalists in guiding the country toward the right path by being truthful, maintaining high standards, and working in the best interest of Ghana.
She acknowledged the essential timing of the training and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting media practitioners in their efforts to ensure credible and factual reporting during the elections.
She underscored the need for a disciplined and independent media, which was essential for the peace and stability of the nation, particularly in the upcoming elections.
The PRINPAG president, Mr Andrew Edwin Arthur, expressed concern over the erosion of the traditional media’s power due to various issues such as fragmentation, self-interest among media practitioners, and the politicisation of news.
He pointed out that the media, once regarded as the fourth estate, had seen reduced patronage due to these negative practices.
He warned that this trend, if not reversed, could harm the media’s credibility and diminish its influence in the democratic process.
In response to these challenges, he said PRINPAG has implemented several measures, including launching a fit-for-purpose code of ethics and providing training to its members.
He said the organisation aimed to ensure that journalists uphold high standards and avoid sensationalism, which could potentially stir unrest during the elections.
Mr Arthur also stressed that PRINPAG would take disciplinary action against members who violate ethical guidelines or engage in reckless reporting.
The Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr John Appiah Baffoe, addressed the issue of fake news, particularly the proliferation of false reports aimed at undermining the EC’s credibility.
He reminded journalists that the EC is the sole body responsible for managing public elections in Ghana and called for cooperation between the media and the EC to ensure transparent, fair, and credible elections.
FROM AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN, SOMANYA