Hon. Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, has criticized the management of Wontumi TV for engaging in the deliberate spread of misinformation during the election period.
He accused the station’s management of consistently misleading and deceiving the public regarding the voting procedures and processes for the upcoming elections.
According to him, this persistent dissemination of false information undermines public trust and could potentially disrupt the electoral process.
“I have noticed with great disdain and revulsion the distasteful and grossly unprofessional content you have repeatedly churned out over the past months. Notable is your current campaign of voter miseducation and misinformation”.
Hon. Sam Nartey George
Sam George further emphasized that this conduct is not accidental but rather a calculated and deliberate act.
He described it as malicious, capricious, ill-intentioned, and driven by an agenda he deemed both evil and wicked.
According to him, such actions are designed to sow confusion, mislead the public, and undermine the integrity of the electoral process, reflecting a troubling disregard for the principles of fairness and democracy.
The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram reminded Wontumi TV that its broadcasting license, issued by the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana, is governed by strict guidelines and conditions.
He emphasized that these terms must be adhered to at all times, as they form the basis for the station’s operational mandate.
Sam George warned that any violation of these conditions constitutes a legitimate legal basis for the NCA to revoke the station’s license, highlighting the serious implications of breaching such regulatory obligations.
“As Deputy Ranking Member for the Select Committee on Communications for the Parliament of Ghana, I wish to remind you of your responsibilities under the terms of your license and remind you that in the near future, the consequences of your actions will be handled accordingly”.
Hon. Sam Nartey George
Accordingly, he emphasized that taking decisive action against such practices of misinformation and miseducation is a duty to the nation and a vital step in safeguarding its democracy.
Anipah Urges Vigilance Against Election Misinformation
Meanwhile, Caroline Anipah, a media and research professional, highlighted the importance of employing the right insights and strategies to address the challenges posed by misinformation.
Anipah explained that misinformation refers to false information shared without harmful intent, whereas disinformation involves false information intentionally crafted to cause harm, manipulate public opinion, and influence behavior.
“A lot of emphasis is put into creating disinformation, so it’s not always a mistake by someone. Across the world, disinformation tends to influence behaviors and impacts people’s democracy.”
Caroline Anipah
Anipah called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant, especially during critical periods such as elections when the spread of disinformation tends to intensify.
She stressed the importance of being alert to emerging trends in misinformation and disinformation, noting that the deliberate dissemination of false information often overwhelms individuals.
According to Anipa, this leaves the public confused and uncertain about how to discern truth from falsehood in the vast flow of information they encounter.
She emphasized that this confusion undermines informed decision-making and poses a significant threat to democratic processes.
“We’ve noticed that people are increasingly uncertain about how to consume information because they believe there is disinformation everywhere. As a result, they stop tracking the sources of what they read”.
Caroline Anipah
She pointed out that as Ghana approaches an election, many citizens are grappling with confusion about the information they are receiving.
To illustrate her point, she referenced a recent incident where a journalist from Wontumi FM misinformed the public about the election date, highlighting the damaging impact of such false narratives on public understanding and trust.
Accordingly, Anipah emphasized that disinformation is a significant issue in Ghana that requires urgent attention. “I am glad that we are beginning to focus on this, and it’s encouraging to see a collective effort to address the problem”.
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