President Akufo-Addo urges Ghanaian media to combat misinformation ahead of 2024 Elections

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaian journalists to uphold the integrity of the electoral process by combatting misinformation and reporting with fairness as the country prepares for the 2024 general elections.

Addressing the 28th Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) Media Awards and 75th-anniversary event in Accra on September 28, the President emphasized the media’s crucial role in shaping informed democratic choices.

President Akufo-Addo urged journalists to act as gatekeepers of truth, stressing the need for accuracy over sensationalism in an era increasingly dominated by digital platforms. “In this digital age, disinformation, misinformation, and fake news can distort the electoral process,” he noted. 

He encouraged journalists to rise to the challenge, ensuring that factual reporting remains paramount as information spreads rapidly through social media.

The President acknowledged the media’s indispensable role in past elections, highlighting their work in monitoring polls, reporting irregularities, and giving voters a platform to voice their concerns. He credited the peaceful transitions of power in Ghana to the diligence and integrity of the press.

“Every four years, Ghanaians go to the polls to choose their leaders, and in that process, the media plays an indispensable role,” Akufo-Addo said, adding that the stakes are higher than ever for journalists to produce accurate and balanced reporting ahead of the 2024 elections. 

Reaffirming his commitment to a free and vibrant press, President Akufo-Addo said, “I remain deeply committed to ensuring that the media in Ghana remains free, vibrant, and independent. Your work is essential to the strength of our democracy, the integrity of our elections, and the progress of our nation.”

The event also recognized outstanding contributions in journalism, with Edward Adeti of Media Without Borders being named the P.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year at the GJA Media Awards.

See the list of the winners below;

Source: Graphic online