Media urged to protect the image Ghana

Accra, Nov. 12, GNA - A media research organisation, has urged the media to protect the image of the country during this year's election. According to the Centre for Media Analysis, an Independent Research and Poll Agency, the tone of language employed by the media would not only add to Ghana's reputation but would serve as Ghana's tran-scripted social, political, and economic image.

A statement issued in Accra by the research group said its study had revealed that Ghana is 46 per cent likely to experience a level of "anxiety situation" next month if the media, politicians and their supporters did not filter their language.

The research conducted between July 31 and August 11 seeks to measure the use of bellicose and temperate language in the just ended voters' registration exercise by the media and its subsequent effect on the coming general election.

The report said the media in total used 46 per cent "bellicose language" and 54 per cent "temperate language" in the coverage of the voters' registration exercise.

In terms of level of bellicose lingual context, violence rated the highest in reportage on the exercise. Also, headlines and sub-headlines focused on physical aggressions and pessimism on the electoral process. It said on the use of temperate language, the media controlled its language. It reported highly on electoral logistics, minors' registration attempt and voter turnout. In addition, the media initiated a public sensitisation mechanism on the importance of peace and democratic processes. The research group advised the media to use the rest of the period before the election to redefine the anxiety pictures already created in the minds of Ghanaians and the international community and use its discretion in their reportage. Furthermore, News Editors especially must ensure their gate-keeping roles prevent inflammatory statements from politicians and party supporters and rather employ temperate language usage in its disseminating role.

"Similarly, Radio and TV stations, especially talk-show hosts, must filter comments from phone-in callers and prevent provocative language if necessary for the sake of national peace and Ghana's international political image." It appealed to the Electoral Commission to ensure the provision of efficient logistics, since such inadequacies contributed to tension and the non- temperate language usage. The research, according to the Centre, was meant to complement appeals from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), National Media Commission (NMC), and other stakeholders towards the use of non-inflammatory language by politicians and the media. Centre for Media Analysis urged the NMC, GJA, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Private Newspapers and Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) to continually sensitize the media on language usage and its effects on Ghana's democratic processes The report commended the media for their effective Coverage of Activities and Campaigns for Peace in this year's Elections and Ghana's democratic Process. 12 Nov. 08