“Journalism is not just a job; it is a public trust. We have a responsibility to report the truth, to be fair and accurate, to be independent and fearless, and to hold those in power accountable.” – Robert C Maynard
MONTECRISTO writes
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), stressing the need for a smooth and peaceful transition of power in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, May 9, this year, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the NDC National Chairman, expressed concerns and accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of potentially facilitating President Akufo-Addo’s alleged reluctance to transfer power to their candidate, John Mahama.
“We do not expect the Electoral Commission to act as the conduit through which Akufo-Addo will implement his avowed determination not to hand over power to the visionary, experienced, and trustworthy John Dramani Mahama.
“NPP must choose a peaceful transfer of power from NPP to NDC in their own interest. The 2024 elections will not be business as usual.”
Sad that the media and reporter or Editor chose to use that slant, even though his statement explains why he may have said that as a conditional message.
Into the heat of the campaign and December presidential and parliamentary elections, these are the noises we will be treated to, with the media allowing itself to use by extremist, open defecation politicians.
According to the portal, however, Nketiah stated that NDC registration agents nationwide would oppose any attempts by the EC to reduce transparency in the ongoing voter registration process. How would the EC deliberately do that when monitoring by agents and IPAC is at work and alive every step of the way in facilitating the processes to deliver a national agenda of peaceful elections?
“We wish to serve notice and notice is hereby served that NDC registration agents across the country will resist the EC’s clandestine attempts aimed at diminishing transparency in the voter registration exercise.
“Let me emphasise that our agents must activate the party’s super hi-tech application systems to transmit all serial numbers of BVR kits in their districts and electoral areas to the National Elections and IT Directorate of the party, with or without the approval of the EC.”
Already, there have been accusations and counter-accusations by the two major parties of busing people to other constituencies to register. Also, raring its ugly head in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise is the issue of minors allegedly being allowed to register.
Issuing a clarion call, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah invited chiefs, opinion leaders, and faith-based organisations to join the NDC’s call for increased transparency and fairness, which he described as “a necessary precondition for peaceful elections,” he urged.
Meanwhile, the EC has declined the NDC’s request for the serial numbers of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits used in the ongoing Limited Voter Registration.
‘Vintage’ General Mosquito
While the accusations and counter-accusations rage, we may understand the slant of the author or the media and the agenda behind the slant. But we may also appreciate the politics, particularly of Asiedu Nketia and people like him.
He may clown, but he does so with effect and an agenda to win battles until the final battle. He ran down J.A Kufour over frivolous corruption allegations to which the ruling government failed to respond to. The allegations stuck, though the NDC failed to charge NPP appointees in the courts and successfully nail them.
He was doing that at the Election Petition until he entangled himself in basic arithmetic exercises with his calculator dripping sweat. But the game goes on.
Like it or not, we may understand that that is his style and it won’t change today or tomorrow in the same manner Wontumi would be Wontumi at NPP rallies or on air. Indeed, for almost 30 years now, that kind of politicking that even involved otherwise decent persons like Courage Quashigah and Jerry Rawlings will pervade.
When such elevated personalities however engage in such cacophony instead of records or resort to the processes, what do we do as citizens?
Media should not add to mistrust
But, a member of the National Peace Council, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), and the Chief Imam’s Advisory Board, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, in alerting the media against falling into temptation and to such intrigues, has urged a culture and obligation to living up to the task in responsible reportage between now and the upcoming December 2024 general elections.
Speaking on the Joy Change-Speaker Series VII on Saturday, May 11, Sheikh Aremeyaw emphasised the paramount importance of the media in ensuring the safety and integrity of the electoral process, urging journalists to refrain from actions that could sow confusion or mistrust.
He expressed concern about the existing levels of distrust between state agencies and political parties, cautioning the media against exacerbating these tensions through their reporting.
Sheikh Aremeyaw underscored the media’s obligation to uphold its constitutional responsibility to promote peace and stability in Ghana, emphasising that any deviation from this mandate would constitute a failure on the part of the press.
Furthermore, he advised media outlets to exercise discretion in selecting panellists, urging them to avoid individuals who may espouse divisive or inflammatory rhetoric.
Additionally, Sheikh Aremeyaw urged journalists to refrain from pitting political parties against each other, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the two leading parties in Ghana.
Highlighting the potential consequences of media irresponsibility, Sheikh Aremeyaw emphasised that journalists, like all Ghanaians, have a vested interest in the country’s stability, as chaos could potentially lead to displacement and refugee status for citizens.
Dangerous
According to the Sheikh, 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 the suspicion that we are talking about.”
“So given the circumstance, there is already dangerous mistrust and the media shouldn’t add to it,” he urged. Yes, the media should not encourage it. We have to be responsible.
Setting the right agenda
But I also love a similar sentiment raised by a senior at The Chronicle. According to that same file that I picked the stories from, a Professor of Communication Studies at the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof Audrey Gadzekpo, urged the media to play a responsible role in shaping the discourse surrounding the upcoming December 2024 general elections.
Emphasising the importance of setting the right tone, Prof Gadzekpo underscored the need for the media to contribute to fostering credible, fair, and peaceful elections, ultimately benefiting the nation as a whole.
In her view, the media has a crucial responsibility in ensuring that the Ghanaian electorate is well-informed, enabling them to make informed decisions when casting their votes.
Also peaking at the Joy Change-Speaker Series VII held on Saturday, May 11, Prof Gadzekpo urged media practitioners to actively work towards increasing voter turnout in the forthcoming elections.
Furthermore, she stressed the significance of upholding quality control standards in journalism, advising media outlets to exercise caution and diligence in verifying and publishing news content.
Accuracy, reliability
According to Prof Gadzekpo, 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.”
“And so, in the end, what does the media do as an industry and be a collective pressure group on the election authorities and on the candidates and on the political parties; they must set the right agenda, the right tone on how they report on these things. Even if they are reporting wrongdoing, how do you set the tone so it can be corrected?”she noted. By simply being factual, accurate and responsible…
Source: Inquirernewsroom