Sunyani: Madam Cynthia Anima Boadu, Bono Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has highlighted the threat of misinformation and disinformation to national peace and stability. She urged the media to actively participate in curbing their spread, especially during elections.
According to Ghana News Agency, Boadu emphasized the media’s significant role in managing disinformation and misinformation during election periods. She advised journalists to prioritize fact-checking and verifying information before publishing, aiming to reduce the spread of fake news. Her remarks were made during the opening session of a one-day media training workshop in Sunyani, focused on Election 2024.
The workshop, themed “The Role of the Media in Promoting Peaceful Election 2024,” was organized by the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association. It received sponsorship from Fidelity Bank Ghana and ActionAid Ghana. Around 74 media professionals attended, explori
ng strategies to prevent electoral violence and ensure a peaceful general election.
Madam Boadu reiterated the media’s responsibility to shape public discourse and aid the public in identifying fake news, misinformation, and disinformation. She encouraged journalists to verify credible sources and actively monitor and counter misinformation in digital and new media spaces.
Additionally, Boadu urged the media to focus on raising awareness and educating the public about the electoral process, maintaining caution in their election reporting. Mr. Guggisberg Asirifi-Young, Bono Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, advised media personnel against prematurely declaring election results, urging them to await official announcements from the Electoral Commission.