The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwomfuor, has issued a stern warning to media houses and journalists ahead of the December 7 elections, urging them not to declare results before the official announcement by the returning officer.
Dwomfuor highlighted that premature declarations of results can escalate tensions among party supporters, potentially leading to chaos and violence, including attacks on journalists.
In a recent interview on tv3’s hot issues , Mr. Dwomfuor emphasized the critical role journalists play in maintaining peace during the electoral process, urging them to exercise decorum in their analysis and projections.
He also called on the police to ensure a safe working environment for journalists both during and after the elections.
“It must be emphasised that disinformation can be used to deceive and manipulate voters, eroding confidence in our elections.
We’ve seen it happen in various countries, where state-sponsored disinformation campaigns have targeted independent news outlets and journalists,” Dwomfuor warned.
He continued, stressing the importance of fact-checking in the media. “It is in light of this that fact-checking has become an essential tool in journalism.
If we competently verify information and debunk false claims, we help promote transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making among our citizens.”
Dwomfuor further stated that it is the duty of journalists to ensure that the public is well-informed, so voters can make educated decisions when casting their ballots in both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
