Takoradi: Media practitioners have been urged to use their platforms to promote peaceful language expressions and fact-based narratives to guarantee peace before, during, and after the December 7 general election. Nana Kwesi Gyan Apenteng, a Communication and Media Consultant, emphasized the importance of peaceful language to maintain the country’s democratic credentials and reminded journalists of their ultimate role in promoting the use of decent expressions on their platforms for a peaceful 2024 general election.
According to Ghana News Agency, Apenteng made this call in Takoradi during a forum organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) for morning show hosts, producers, and presenters of political/current affairs programs. The event aimed to secure their commitment to peaceful expressions in the 2024 election and to consolidate Ghana’s democracy.
The forum is part of a project by the MFWA, supported by funding from the US Embassy in Ghana, titled ‘Countering Mis/Disinformation and Language
Behaviors that can lead to Violence in Ghana’s 2024 Elections.’ The project involved daily monitoring of selected programs on 30 radio stations in Ghana between July and August 2024 to identify indecent expressions, abusive language, and partisanship that could lead to violence.
Findings highlighted excessive partisanship between the two main political parties and their commentators, with media sometimes contributing to toxic narratives and divisiveness. In response, MFWA brought together selected journalists from the Western, Western North, and Central regions to foster peaceful elections and counter negative language behaviors.
Nana Apenteng urged journalists to cultivate respect and tolerance for opposing views and emphasized the importance of impartiality and neutrality. Presenters and hosts were advised to avoid taking sides, ensuring equal airtime for all panelists to express their views.
He also stressed the importance of promoting election integrity through fact-based reporting and in-depth investi
gations to uncover potential electoral irregularities like voter suppression or manipulation. Encouraging critical thinking and media literacy among citizens was highlighted as a vital role for media professionals to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Apenteng further called on political leaders and their supporters to commit to peaceful campaigns focused on issues rather than insults, to protect the peace and stability of the country.
Dr. Kojo Impraim, Director of Media for Peace and Sustainable Development at MFWA, stated the media’s crucial role in promoting information hygiene in election security. He emphasized the duty of media practitioners to protect and correct the ‘ills’ in the information ecosystem to ensure information integrity and the integrity of the impending election.