Election 2024: PRINPAG trains Journalists on Election Reporting and Fact-Checking Skills

The Private Newspapers and Online Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), has held a two day capacity building workshop for Journalists ahead of the 2024 general elections in December.

Supported by the Ministry of Information, the  workshop was aimed at enhancing the skills of media practitioners in election reporting and fact-checking to promote credible, accurate and peaceful elections.

Themed: “Empowering Journalists for Credible Elections: Enhancing Reporting and Fact-Checking Skills,” it was also geared towards equipping journalists with the tools to differentiate professional journalism from the growing influence of bloggers and content creators.

Speaking at the opening session,  Minister for information, Madam Fatimatu Abubakar noted the evolving media landscape, where misinformation and disinformation are on the rise, often blurring the lines between credible journalism and speculative content.

She highlighted the urgent need for journalists to be vigilant, particularly in an age where young people are often more media-savvy than older policymakers.

“Now, more than ever, we need to empower our journalists and provide further training so that we are on top of issues and people can distinguish between journalism and content creation,” she said.

Drawing parallels with international standards, Madam Abubakar cited recent examples from the U.S Presidential debate, where fact-checking was immediately applied after each claim made by candidates and urged Ghanaian journalists to adopt similar practices to hold politicians accountable and ensure that the public was fed with accurate information to consolidate Ghana’s democracy.

She also warned of the dangers of misinformation, citing recent global examples of how unchecked information have led to violence and unrest, emphasizing the need for journalists to act ethically and to recognize the far-reaching consequences of their reports, especially during election periods.

“You may not be able to stop what you started if misinformation spirals out of control,” she cautioned.

The Minister  acknowledged that while politicians may come and go, the stability and security of Ghana must remain paramount.

“After an election, we still need a country called Ghana. At all costs, the brand and security of Ghana must be prioritized over personal or political interests,” she added.

Madam Abubakar advised media practitioners to use their platforms responsibly, ensuring that they provide the public with fact-based reporting grounded in professionalism, whiles urging them to remain vigilant against the growing threat of misinformation, which can destabilize the country and undermine its democratic values and institutions.

By Leo Nelson