The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has cautioned media houses, urging them to refrain from declaring final results in the 2024 elections. This responsibility lies solely with the Electoral Commission (EC).
Linda Asante Agyei, Vice President of the GJA, made this call during the launch of a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) facility project by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD) in partnership with the Danish Embassy. The project aims to strengthen climate reporting and defend media freedom.
Asante Agyei emphasised the importance of responsible reporting, warning that inaccurate information could lead to conflicts. She underscored the necessity for media houses to collaborate with the EC, stating that journalists should only report provisional results until the EC certifies the outcomes.
“Our role is crucial in ensuring that we report responsibly and provide accurate information in collaboration with the Electoral Commission,” she said. “Media houses are not the final authority to announce election results; this is the mandate of the EC. We must differentiate between presenting provisional results and final results.”
The SDG project also includes initiatives to enhance accurate reporting. Rev. Mawuli Tsikata, a Citi FM project implementation team member, discussed measures to combat fake news and misinformation. These measures include using AI tools to identify false information and training journalists in digital reporting.
“Our project focuses on digital reporting and addressing challenges like fake news, disinformation, and misinformation,” Tsikata said. “We are building platforms to help journalists distinguish between fake and accurate news, using AI tools to identify false information on digital platforms. Additionally, we are organising webinars and training sessions for journalists to combat fake news.”
The GJA’s caution and the SDG project’s initiatives reflect a concerted effort to ensure accurate and responsible election reporting in Ghana.
