Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, a member of the National Peace Council, the Chief Imam’s Advisory Board, has urged the media to uphold its responsibility to maintain public trust and demonstrate excellence in its December 2024 general elections coverage.
Sheikh Shaibu stressed the media’s vital role in guaranteeing the integrity and security of the electoral process, imploring journalists to exercise utmost professionalism and responsibility by avoiding sensationalism and misinformation, which could sow discord, confusion, and erosion of public trust.
Furthermore, he voiced alarm over the entrenched mistrust between state agencies and political parties, warning the media against inflaming this volatile situation through sensational or biased reporting.
As such, he accentuated the media’s obligation to uphold its constitutional responsibility to promote peace and stability in Ghana, emphasizing that any deviation from this mandate would constitute a failure on the part of the press.
Moreover, he advised the media outlets to exercise judicious discretion when selecting panelists, cautioning against featuring individuals who promote hateful, divisive, or inflammatory rhetoric.
As such, Sheikh Shaibu urged journalists to refrain from pitting political parties against each other, particularly the two major parties in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Furthermore, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu soberly reminded the media that their actions have far-reaching consequences, warning that irresponsible reporting can jeopardize the very fabric of Ghana’s stability, and ultimately, put citizens at risk of displacement and forced migration.
He emphasized that journalists, as stakeholders in the nation’s well-being, must prioritize responsible and ethical reporting to safeguard the country’s peace and prosperity.
“The growing mistrust and lack of confidence in state institutions that have something to do with our electoral processes is an issue, and here I am talking about the perception of the judiciary, perception of the police, perception about the Ghana Armed Forces and the role they play in ensuring electoral security. All these things have added to the already heightened situation of suspicion and indeed even the Electoral Commission is not free of the suspicion that we are talking about. So given the circumstance, there is already dangerous mistrust and the media shouldn’t add to it”.
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu
Role Of The Media Emphasized
Meanwhile, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, a professor of Communication Studies at the University of Ghana has urged the media to assume its responsibility as a critical influencer of public opinion and play a vital role in framing the narrative around the December 2024 general elections.
She stressed the crucial role of the media in setting the tone for a constructive electoral process, emphasizing that responsible reporting is essential for promoting credible, fair, and peaceful elections.
According to Prof. Gadzekpo, the media plays a vital role in empowering the Ghanaian electorate by providing accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive information, thereby enabling citizens to make informed, thoughtful, and decisive decisions at the polls.
Furthermore, she urged media practitioners to actively work towards increasing voter turnout in the forthcoming elections.
Moreover, she emphasized the significance of upholding quality control standards in journalism, advising media outlets to exercise caution and diligence in verifying and publishing news content.
As such, Prof Gadzekpo indicated that maintaining accuracy and reliability is paramount, as the media serves as a primary source of information for the citizenry.
“In the 2020 elections, I read that voter turnout was over 80% and that is fantastic, but how do we maintain this turnout if people are pessimistic if people are disillusioned, they won’t go to the polls. We will have a poor voter turnout, and I think the media has a role to play to encourage voter turnout.”
Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo
Prof. Gadzekpo called on the media to unite as a collective force, holding election authorities, candidates, and political parties accountable for setting a constructive agenda and tone.
She indicated that by doing so, the media can shape the narrative and ensure responsible reporting during the election, promoting a peaceful and democratic process.
