The Ghana Journalists Association(GJA) in collaboration with the US Embassy, Ghana has organised a training workshop for journalists on election 2024 reporting.
The Project, ‘Journalists for Peaceful Discourse’ was held on the theme, “Promoting Peaceful Journalistic Media Platforms Ahead of Elections 2024”.
For the GJA/US Embassy Elections 2024 project (Zone 4 Training), Editors and reporters from the Eastern Region, Greater Accra, Tema and Ada converged at the International Press Centre on March 15, where representatives of key stakeholders including the Electoral Commission, Peace Council, the Ghana Police Service, media interacted with participants on the 2024 election.
The training was to offer professional development to Online Editors/Producers/On Air Personalities/Talk Show Hosts aimed at building their knowledge base in contributing to violent free platforms.
It also sought to promote long-term learning among participants who would contribute to upholding freedom of expression and credible polls by initiating Journalists for Peaceful discourse mini-projects.
Some of the topics treated at the training included Global trends in election misinformation and practical strategies to counter misinformation which was done by Sarah J. Wachter, a US Journalist.
Others include Practical strategies for accommodating dissenting voices in election reportage which was done by George Amoh, an Executive Secretary at the National Peace Council.
The Head of Training at the Electoral Commission, Mr Michael Boadu also spoke about the Electoral Commission’s preparedness ahead of December 7 while a Deputy Editor at the Ghana News Agency, Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi also spoke about Lessons from an international visitor leadership programme.
ACP. Grace Ansah-Akrofi, a Director at the Ghana Police Service Public Affairs Directorate also spoke about the Police preparedness to ensure security during the electoral processes.
Read Also: GJA, US Embassy launch ‘Journalists for Peaceful Discourse’ ahead of 2024
Speaking at the opening of the training, President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour noted that after the launch of the GJA/US Embassy workshop on Journalists for Peaceful Discourse initiative in November last year in Accra, the team has successfully organised workshops in the Volta region, Northern region, Ashanti region and now the Greater Accra region.
He reiterated that the theme of the GJA/US Embassy Ghana project, “Promoting Peaceful Journalistic Media Platforms ahead of Election 2024 (Journalists For Peaceful Discourse), could not have been more appropriate given the tension that invariably characterizes elections in the country.
“It is the reason, the objective of the project focuses on Promoting violent free and credible elections in Ghana in 2024 through well-informed and trained journalists who use best practices for fact-based and non-partisan election reporting,” he said.Mr Dwumfour expressed hope that the objective of the project would help shape the media system and further reduce the excesses to the barest minimum.
In addition to the above objectives, he said the project will encourage information sharing with Election related entities to better inform the work of the EC and related entities with the view to promoting freedom of expression for violent free and credible polls.
He made it known that the GJA will also create a platform to share best practices on Elections among journalists.
Mr Dwumfour observed that Election 2024 is being held against the backdrop of insecurity, terrorism and insurgency, in the region of West Africa, coupled with challenges with the economy with Inflation hitting highs, hence dwarfing the people’s purchasing power.
“All these factors point to a heightened and tense atmosphere, raising the need to ensure that Journalists/ Talk Show hosts in their agenda setting role, maintain an atmosphere that encourages discussion of policy issues, while promoting and protecting the space for peaceful discourse, which is integral to a successful peaceful election in December, 2024,” he said.
The GJA President observed the growing intolerance against the media and attacks on the media is on the ascendancy and urged colleague journalists to refrain from conduct that inflames passion.
He also urged journalists not to rush or choose speed over accuracy in their quest to be the first to report the news.
Meanwhile, Mr Dwumfour cautioned those who assault the media that the GJA will not countenance any attack on Journalists going into the elections as any such thing will be fiercely resisted as demonstrated in recent times.
“Now we know that the imposition of a media blackout is more powerful and I want to emphasize that the GJA stands ready to defend its members at all times”, he added.
US Ambassador to Ghana
For her part, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer noted that Ghana and the USA have a lot in common i.e. challenges and successes when it comes to presidential elections.She was of the view that as the two get closer to the 2024 presidential elections the role of a free, vibrant, and professional press has never been more paramount.
“We share a lot of the same challenges when it comes to elections as well: challenges to democracy and disinformation aimed at sowing mistrust in our institutions and our elections. This type of disinformation, often driven by state actors, undermines democracy and confidence in government. Because when democracies like ours succeed, authoritarian regimes fail. So, they will do whatever is possible to harm democratic processes and sow division and doubt,” She said.
She continued that,”If they can undermine democracy in the world, their authoritarian, top-down, command and control approach to the world can seem like a plausible alternative. Of course, it’s not. Their approach to the world cannot win the war of ideas, so they use disinformation to undermine institutions and truth.”
Her Excellency Virginia Palmer observed that West Africa has experienced democratic backsliding in the last few years, as four governments in the Sahel have fallen victim to coups.
She stated that,”It is important to point out that many analysts saw a rise in disinformation online and in social media groups before these coups. That’s not to say these governments were perfect, but it seems likely that disinformation spread through social media targeted these governments and accelerated their downfall. Analysts saw this pattern repeated in Niger last year.”
She noted that Ghana has long been a regional example of stability and democratic success. However, she said democracy was under threat as seen across the region, therefore underscoring the need for Ghanaians to work together to protect its stability.
“Journalists face threats, both physical and digital, that seek to silence critical voices and stifle press freedom. The courage to report honestly in such an environment is commendable and a testament to the resilience and dedication of the journalist community. It is our collective responsibility – governments, civil society, and the international community – to protect, support, and champion the rights of journalists and media organizations. Your safety and freedom are indispensable to the health of our democracies,” she stated.
The US Ambassador to Ghana again stated that,”We all know that free and fair elections don’t just happen on Election Day. They happen because people like you – journalists, law enforcement, civil society, and government officials – work together to ensure the systems work, the processes are transparent, and the results are credible.”
According to her, on Election Day, just like in elections across the world, the U.S. Embassy will also deploy election monitoring teams across the country.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
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