The National Media Commission (NMC) of Ghana has initiated measures to ensure the safety of journalists as the country prepares for the 2024 elections.
Emphasizing professionalism and adherence to the code of ethics, the NMC is committed to creating a secure environment for media practitioners during this critical period.
A significant step in this direction is the inauguration of a Media Advisory Committee by the NMC. This committee is tasked with assisting journalists and safeguarding their well-being.
Over the years, the NMC has consistently warned against hate speech and urged media personnel to conduct their duties responsibly.
Highlighting the importance of journalist safety, George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the NMC, stressed the need for thorough information verification.
He explained that the commission is establishing a “public brain trust” composed of respected community experts. This group will collaborate with regional media to achieve three primary objectives: protecting journalists, promoting media responsibility, and combating disinformation.
“We call it a public brain trust, well respected in the community, very knowledgeable, but experts in their various fields that we bring together. To work with the media in the region, we’re going to do three things: firstly, to protect the safety of journalists to enable them to do their work, especially during this election. Secondly, to promote media responsibility during this period. Thirdly, combat disinformation. Their methods of operation will be engaging the media on matters of concern, settling cases,” Sarpong explained.
The NMC also emphasized the dangers of disseminating unverified information, warning that such practices could lead to public unrest.
Chairman of the NMC, Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, urged journalists to be cautious with content from social media. He advised traditional media not to replicate social media posts without verifying their authenticity.
“I will appeal to the mainstream media, now called the traditional media, never ever replicate what you see on social media, without establishing the foundation of it. Because the people on social media have not had the training that we have. And so, when you receive any material on social media, and you put it out, you’re helping them to misinform us,” Ayeboafo stated.
The most recent scenario of disinformation involving the media is the false report that Ghanaian chef, Smith, had broken the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.
The Guinness World Record refuted claims that it pronounced such judgement and this was later confirmed by Chef Smith, who revealed the real motive for trying to pull a fast one.
With regards to attacks against media practitioners, the menace continues to linger with the murder of an investigative journalist with Tiger Eye, Ahmed Suale, yet to be resolved three years after the unfortunate incident.