The National Chairman of Media Commission, Lawyer Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh at the launch of the Ghana Journalists Association ( GJA), 2020 at Wa on September 10, has warned against the impact of disinformation in the upcoming Presidential and legislative elections.
In separate addresses, the speakers namely; the National Chairman of Media Commission, Lawyer Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, Upper West National Chairman for Peace Council, Dr. Aloysuis Nuplabong and Ali Osman, Upper West Director of the Electoral Commission urged the media to be truthful and factual in the lead up to and after the December 7 elections.
In his opening remarks, Lawyer Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh lauded the media for the contributions it has made towards safeguarding Ghana’s democracy over the years.
He added that a conscious effort must be made towards combatting disinformation before and during the election.
He said the media was obliged to reduce tensions during election years.
“The media have professional, ethical, constitutional, moral and godly responsibilities to help diffuse the tensions and shape the complexion of the electioneering and influence the electorate to make intelligent decisions at the polls,” Lawyer Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh said.
“The point can hardly be articulated that toxic campaign and peaceful elections do not belong in the same sentence. Hence, the GJA’s iron-clad commitment to and unapologetic resolve to promote civility and discernment in the political discourse as the theme for the Media convention is amplifying “Mr. Ali Osman stated.
Mr. Ali mentioned that democracy cannot survive without a free and responsible press, hence, the need for vigilance in the journalism practice.
He stated that although technology offers the unprecedented opportunity to expand media freedoms, information can also be distorted by actors with ill-intentions.
Dr. Aloysius Nuplabong urged the media to be impartial and fair to all stakeholders involved in the electioneering process.
He explained that in order to maintain their integrity, journalists must not accept any favours from political actors in executing their duties.
Source: yagbonradioonline/Tanye K. Moses
