The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has trained some selected journalists in Tamale on Fact-Base conflict sensitivity reporting and information hygiene for peace at Nim Avenue Hotel.
In an open remarks by Dr. Angela Lusigi, UNDP Ghana Resident Representative at the training for Journalists on hate speech and counter narrative, stated that the UNDP recognizes the role that disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech can play in promoting electoral violence, hatred, and violent extremism, while undermining electoral processes and democratic values.
Dr. Lusigi noted that media acts as a key source of information and has a significant influence on the public through its portrayal of events and
perspectives.
Again Discriminatory views against minority groups published by
the media could for example fuel harassment and intimidation, which may drive radicalization and violent extremism.
Recognizing the gravity of these issues, UNDP in partnership with UNESCO and the wider UN team, is committed to addressing hate speech, disinformation and misinformation, in line with the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
In Ghana, the National Peace Council
(NPC) and the National Media Commission (NMC) have published
guidelines on hate speech and other forms of indecent expressions.
Speaking at the training, the Programme Director, for Media fo Peace and Sustainable Development at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Dr. Kojo Impraim said MWFA has patterned with UNDP and Norwegian Embassy to build the capacity of fourty (40) Journalist from the Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper West and Upper East regions to increase the knowledge and skills on issues of the role in ensuring that the should be more sensitive in conflict reporting.
Dr. Impraim added that, in the context of 2024 elections we need to look at it carefully to ensure that as Media we can offer our platforms to do programing that is seeking to build resilient in community that is seeking to promote peace among communities.
Dr. Kojo Impraim mentioned that the youth should not allow them selfs to be used as instruments of violence by some political actors and the have to also try to bring down the tension when it comes to the dou-poly between the NPP and NPP as the two major political parties in this country.
“So we are being to see Movement for Change and the New Force coming up and this will change our Dynamics of our electoral landscape, and the role of Media is extremely important and how we can partner with state actors such as National Peace Council, Electoral Commission, MFWA, GJA and GIBA. So essentially we want to encourage you to be more circumspect, more factual, more balance and accurate in our reportage on the platform concerning peace and security he said”.
The program was funded by UNDP and Norwegian Embassy.
Source: yagbonradioonline/Fataw Diwura
