The Private Newspaper and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) organized a two-day workshop aimed at strengthening election reporting skills among its members.
The event, held under the theme: “Empowering Journalists for Credible Elections: Enhancing Reporting and Fact-Checking Skills,” comes ahead of Ghana’s 2024 general elections.
In her address, the Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, stressed the critical role of journalists in safeguarding democracy. She underscored the growing global challenges of misinformation and urged media professionals to uphold ethical standards and thorough fact-checking, particularly during election periods. She cited international examples where swift and accurate responses to misinformation have helped maintain electoral integrity.
“We need to ensure our media teams are well-equipped and trained to distinguish between professional analysis and unfounded claims,” the Minister said, adding that the training would help journalists better handle the challenges of election coverage.
Ethical Journalism
Kwame Asah-Asante, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science and Director of the Centre for European Studies at the University of Ghana, delivered a presentation on best practices in election coverage and related matters, urging journalists to remain objective in their election coverage. He emphasized that reporters should avoid injecting personal feelings and prejudices into their work and should strictly adhere to the ethics of the profession.
“Journalists must guard against hate speech and use appropriate language in their reportage. They should avoid inflammatory remarks and ensure that they do not interfere with the work of the Electoral Commission. Instead, they should report any perceived irregularities to election officials,” Asah-Asante advised.
He further warned against actions that could escalate into conflict, called on journalists to refuse bribes or inducements, and reminded them of the importance of obtaining accreditation before visiting polling stations to ensure transparency.
PRINPAG President’s Call for Media Integrity
PRINPAG President, Lawyer Andrew Edwin Arthur, echoed these sentiments, lamenting the growing issues of media fragmentation, self-interest, and the politicization of journalism. He called for a renewed commitment to journalistic integrity, warning that the erosion of public trust in the media could have severe consequences for Ghana’s democracy.
“The role of the media as the fourth estate is being undermined by declining standards and increased politicization,” Arthur stated. “This workshop is part of our effort to reverse these negative trends and ensure media practitioners adhere to the highest standards.”
Municipal Chief Executive Urges Professional Development
The Municipal Chief Executive for Yilo Krobo, Eric Tetteh, also encouraged journalists to embrace continuous professional development. “In any profession, success comes from constant learning and adaptation,” he said.
Workshop Overview and Goals
PRINPAG’s Executive Secretary, Jeorge Wilson Kingson, provided an overview of the workshop’s goals, explaining that it was designed to equip journalists with the skills needed to provide accurate, impartial, and credible election coverage. He emphasized the importance of fact-checking in an era of rapid misinformation and urged participants to apply the techniques learned during the workshop to their reporting.
The Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, John Appiah Baffloe, warned against the dangers of misinformation, particularly during election periods. “These are not times to stir confusion,” he cautioned, urging journalists to focus on providing clear, accurate information to the public.
The workshop is part of PRINPAG’s ongoing efforts to enhance the professionalism of journalists ahead of the 2024 elections, ensuring that the media plays a vital role in promoting transparency and accountability in the electoral process.