By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has appealed to journalists and media outlets across the country to fact-check information they receive going into the December, 7, polls before disseminating.
According to him, fact-checking is very crucial, and essential in the dissemination of information, before, during, and after the December, general elections.
“Verify information before sharing it, especially during elections. We must be cautious of sources with vested interests and biased agenda.
As Journalists, we need to bear in mind that reputable fact-checking organizations and independent media outlets are vital in separating fact from fiction. It is the only surest way of not falling prey to disinformation.
Ladies and gentlemen, as earlier reiterated, effective fact-checking is non-negotiable going into the December 7 elections,” Mr. Dwumfour.
The GJA President appealed at the opening ceremony of a two-day Advanced Course training on “Disinformation and Fact-Checking During The 2024 Election Process,” for some selected Ghanaian Journalists at the Spanish Embassy in Accra on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
According to him, the inky fraternity has a constitutionally mandated duty to play in shaping the narrative of the 2024 general elections. “Our audiences i.e. the readers, listeners, and viewers must be well informed to make informed decisions at the polls” he added.
Mr. Dwumfour explained that it is in light of the constitutionally mandated duty that the national executive committee has been at the forefront of seeking support to train as many journalists as possible to acquire the needed knowledge and skills to enhance effective performance before, during, and after the December 7th elections.
“We have collaborated with the US Embassy, the Electoral Commission, and today with the Spanish Embassy to provide the needed training to our journalists across the country.
We are happy you responded to our call to participate in this all-important training despite short notice.
Ambassador, Ladies and Gentlemen, in today’s digital age, misinformation and disinformation spread like wildfire, threatening to undermine the very foundations of our democracy.
The spread of false information is rampant on social media platforms and now rearing its ugly head in the traditional media.
We are witnessing what some people refer to as exaggerated government achievements where the ruling party is accused of spreading false information about its accomplishments to secure votes and the opposition is criticized for spreading misinformation about the election process to discredit the ruling party.
It must be emphasized that disinformation can be used to deceive and manipulate voters, thereby eroding confidence in our elections. We’ve seen it happen in various countries, where state-sponsored disinformation campaigns have targeted independent news outlets and journalists.
It is in light of this, that fact-checking is now an essential tool in journalism.
If we competently verify information and debunk false claims, we help to promote transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making among our citizens. So in this year’s election, it is our journalistic duty to factually inform our audiences so they can separate the facts from the untruth to decide which candidates to vote for in both the Presidential and the Parliamentary elections.
As journalists, we are charged with the responsibility to be the gatekeepers of information. Our job is not only to report the news but also to provide context, analysis, and insight.
We wield the power to shape public opinion and influence the national conversation” he stated.
On his part, the Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Ángel Lossada-Torres Quevedo, in his welcome address, reiterated the urgent need to address issues of disinformation.
According to him, disinformation is a threat to Ghana’s young democracy, especially going into crucial general elections slated for 7th December 2024.
Amb. Quevedo was optimistic that regular training such as the one, the Spanish Embassy in conjunction with Casa África, GJA, and Maldita.ES can combat the spread of disinformation.
He reaffirmed the Spanish Embassy’s readiness to support the GJA as a body and its members in any way possible to ensure high standard journalistic values, transparency, and accountability across all sectors of Ghanaian society.
The two days Advanced Course training on “Disinformation and Fact-Checking During The 2024 Election Process,” is being organised by; Gobierno De Espana – Ministeao De Asuntos Exterioes, Union Europa Ycooperacion, Spanish Embassy in Ghana, GJA, Casa África, and Maldita.ES and Newtral as its media partners.