Election 2024: Media practitioners cautioned against being used as conduits for election mishaps

Media practitioners in Ghana have been warned not to be used as conduits for election mishaps before, during, and after the December 7 general elections.

To achieve this, the media must avoid providing platforms and airtime to political figures whose statements could jeopardize the nation's peace and security.

The caution was issued by the Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), Francis Osei-Nsiah, during a media training organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).

The one-day program, held in Kumasi on Thursday, October 10, 2024, had the theme "Enhancing Media Capacity for Fact-based Reportage and Countering Elections-Related Mis/Disinformation."

The training aimed to enhance the capacity and understanding of the media on electoral processes to ensure fact-based reporting and programming.

"Media professionals should be cautious when sharing material produced by political figures that could interfere with election procedures and create instability in the nation's peace," he stated.

Osei-Nsiah added, "All information must be fact-checked to ensure credibility before dissemination."

In addition to reminding media professionals of their responsibilities to ensure peaceful elections, Mr. Osei-Nsiah stressed the importance of impartial and unbiased coverage of the polls on December 7.

"On Election Day, journalists must ensure that the information shared with the public is accurate to prevent chaos and violence that could disrupt the elections," he emphasized.