The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Dr. Ernest Adu Gyamfi, has highlighted the urgent need to ignore hate speech and misinformation as Ghana approaches elections on December 7, 2024.
Speaking at an editors’ forum, he expressed concern over the use of these tactics by individuals he described as miscreants.
Dr. Adu Gyamfi caution journalists to ensure that the information disseminated before and during the elections is accurate, noting that false narratives have a tendency to spread quickly and occupy the public space.
He identified hate speech and misinformation as critical challenges for the media and called for adherence to high journalistic standards.
“The spread of unverified information is susceptible to undermining the integrity of the country’s democratic process, he noted, hence, called for fact-checking and not rush to put out unverified information in a bid to breaking the news first.
Dr. Adu Gyamfi argued the media to fulfill its role as the fourth estate and to promote factual reporting, which is vital for maintaining social cohesion during the elections.
The Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Madam Linda Asante Adjei, urged media practitioners to prioritize fact-checking and accuracy in their reportage, emphasising the need for the media to avoid sensationalism and instead focus on delivering fact-based reporting.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
