Media asked to protect democracy

The Director of the School of Communication Studies of the University of Ghana, Dr Audrey Gadzepko has called on the media to be vigilant to protect Ghana's democracy.

 

"There is a history of reversal of democracy in Africa therefore the media must be vigilant," she said.

 

She said this at a workshop on Election Coverage for Political Reporters held at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra today.

 

It was organised by the Ghana Journalists Association and sponsored by the Canadian High Commission.

 

Dr Gadzekpo said the media was central to electoral arrangements, adding that "we are too important to screw up."

 

She advised the media not to feed their consumers with negative reportage, saying that they should check their facts before going public with their information.

 

The Charge d'Affaires at the Canadian High Commission, Mr Michael Gort in a remark said an election that went well could strengthen a maturing democracy.

 

He said the media could play "a huge role in the ultimate success or failure of an election."

 

"Without freedom of speech and a free press, no election can be truly democratic," he said.

 

The workshop also discussed the GJA Guidelines on Election Coverage and covered areas like accuracy and fairness, bribes and other inducements, political affiliation, endorsement of candidates and reporting election disputes among others.

 

Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, General Manager, Graphic Communications Group Limited also addressed the workshop.

 

It was moderated by Dr Doris Dartey, a Communications Consultant and Educator.

Source: africanelections.org