MFWA engages journalists on effects of hate speech, polarising narratives ahead of election 2024

In their quest to foster consolidation of peace in Ghana, members of the Media Foundation For West Africa (MFWA), have organized a two-day sensitisation program for a section of journalists in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.

The two-day program which hosted journalists from the different selected media houses took place at the Miklin Hotel.

The training which centred on "Countering Hate Speech and Polarising Narratives to Foster Consolidation and Peace," was treated under sub-topics such as Conflict Sensitive Reporting, Mis/Disinformation, Propaganda Narratives and Promoting Information Hygiene in 2024 Elections in Ghana, Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism, Peace Journalism, Fact Checking, AI and Working With Fact Checking Tools, among others.

Speaking on the purpose of the program, Mr. Kwaku Asante Krobea who is a Program officer at the MFWA and a lead member of the Fact Check-Ghana, said, the program was meant to equip journalists on the need to be wary of their reportage in order to avoid generating tensions, especially going into the 2024 elections.

He also reminded journalists to be very vigilant with the kind of news they put out for public consumption, adding that fact-checking should be their utmost priority.

He said the sensitisation program was also meant to educate journalists on how to play roles in conflict resolution by delivering reports in a fair and constructive manner instead of taking sides or being biased.

Expressing joy over how the program had been successful, Mr. Krobea mentioned that, questions, responses and contributions from journalists during discussions, made the entire program impactful.

He, however, entreated beneficiary journalists to put what they have acquired to use by educating the general public on misinformation, disinformation and their negative effects.

He also entreated journalists to always fact-check information before putting them out for the public. He stressed that it was very urgent for journalists to always end conversations of politicians and other activists that could plunge the nation into chaos.

To the general public, Mr. Krobea said they needed to be very vigilant especially going into the 2024 election so that they are not being swayed by any fabricated news.

Dr. Kaderi Noagah Bukari, an academic and peacebuilding expert at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), a lead facilitator during the program, said, it was very prudent for journalists to always prioritize the peace of our country by desisting from sensationalism, bias and fabricated reports especially during conflict.

He said, there was always the urgent need for journalists to delve into conflicts by understanding the issue at hand and desist from taking sides.

He said reports in such a manner should always be based on fairness and accuracy in order to avoid fuelling socio-political, ethnic and religious conflicts in a country.

He took the journalists through topics such as understanding conflicts and violence, causes of electoral conflicts and how to deal with them, conflict-sensitive reporting, approaches to fact-based reporting by journalists, practising peace journalism, drivers of insecurity, violent extremism and national response mechanisms, among others.

Some beneficiary journalists who spoke to this reporter after the program said they were going to put what they ad gained into practice, especially going into the 2024 election.

They however expressed gratitude to the Media Foundation for West Africa(MFWA), for the exercise.