Mr. Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Chairman, National Media Commission (NMC), on Tuesday launched a thirty-page report on the role played by the media in its coverage of Election 2000.
Titled "Report on Media Coverage of Political Parties-Election 2000", the report shows areas of coverage undertaken by both electronic and print media on the activities of the political parties during the period October 1, 2000 to January 15, 2001. The National Media Commission compiled the book.
The launching of the report also marks the first anniversary of the elections which falls tomorrow December 7, 2001 (see tomorrow's edition for an Accra Mail Special).
Mr. Kuenyehia expressed satisfaction about the monitoring work conducted by the commission during the elections which he said conforms to the mandate of the commission.
He said the commission could have done better than what it exhibited during the election, but lack of funds was a draw back. He called on donor agencies to support the activities of the commission to help it set up a permanent monitoring programme that would assist it to discharge its constitutional mandate.
He commended the media for the collaborative efforts that saw the election emerge as fair and free from rigging, which he also said has proved the strength of the media.
"This shows how united Ghanaians, in particular the media made last year's election, possible... and better than the previous ones we witnessed in 1992 and 1996."
He called on the media and the general public to see the report as reference material and "it should not be recognised as a book made for the sake of history."
Mr. Kuenyehia suggested to the media not to allow the positive efforts they made in last year's election be a nine-day wonder. "This should not end here but should be applied in future elections."
The launching should have coincided with the inauguration of a committee to develop "Guidelines for Print Media Practice", but due to inputs from the Ghana Journalists Association, it was postponed until further notice.
