Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mrs. Linda Asante Agyei, has called on media practitioners in the country to adopt conflict-sensitive reporting practices as the nation prepares for the 2024 general elections. Speaking at an Editors Forum organized by the National Peace Council, Mrs. Agyei emphasized the crucial role of the media in promoting peace and national cohesion during the election period.
In her keynote address on the theme “Promoting Conflict-Sensitive Reporting for a Peaceful Election in Ghana,” Mrs. Agyei highlighted the power of media platforms to influence public opinion and the responsibility that comes with it. She urged journalists to focus on fact-based reporting, avoid sensationalism, and prioritize the well-being of citizens by providing balanced perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices.
“Our words have power. Our platforms have influence. And our responsibility is clear: to inform, to educate, and to illuminate the path to peaceful elections,” she stated. Mrs. Agyei underscored the importance of avoiding inflammatory rhetoric and ethnic or partisan bias, emphasizing that conflict-sensitive reporting is essential for reducing tensions, promoting dialogue, and supporting democratic processes.
The GJA, in collaboration with the American Embassy in Ghana, has launched the “Journalists for Peaceful Discourse” project as part of its efforts to promote peaceful journalistic practices ahead of the 2024 elections. The 12-month project, nearing its conclusion, aims to empower the media to contribute to violence-free and credible elections, upholding press freedom and professionalism.
Mrs. Agyei also addressed political leaders, civil society organizations, and citizens, urging them to campaign on issues rather than insults, promote voter education, and demand accurate information from the media. She called for a collective effort to create an enabling environment for peaceful elections, emphasizing that “promoting conflict-sensitive reporting is a collective responsibility.”
The forum, which brought together members of the National Peace Council’s Governing Board, media practitioners, and other stakeholders, served as a platform to discuss strategies for ensuring that the media contributes to a peaceful and democratic election process in Ghana.
As the nation approaches the 2024 elections, the GJA Vice President’s message serves as a reminder of the pivotal role the media plays in shaping the narrative and maintaining peace during this critical period in Ghana’s democratic journey.
By Jeorge Wilson Kingson || ghananewsonline.com.gh