Tamale: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by the Government of Japan, recently conducted a two-day training session aimed at equipping selected journalists and bloggers with skills in fact-checking and conflict-sensitive reporting. The initiative sought to empower media professionals to effectively counter misinformation and disinformation that could incite violence, thereby promoting peace in their respective regions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the training event, held in Tamale, brought together 25 participants from the Upper East and Savannah Regions. This effort was part of UNDP Ghana's 'Preventive Approach to Protecting Development in the Gulf of Guinea (Prevention Facility)' project. Ms. Melody Azinim, Peace and Governance Analyst at UNDP Ghana, highlighted the critical role of media in promoting peace and encouraged participants to prioritize verifying facts and sharing credible information, particularly in conflict reporting.
Mr. Albert Futukpor, Northern Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, underscored the importance of professionalism in journalism. He stressed the need for journalists and bloggers to adhere to ethics of accuracy, impartiality, and responsibility, especially when reporting on sensitive topics such as ethnicity, religion, chieftaincy, land disputes, and political rivalry. He emphasized the influence media professionals have in shaping narratives and public discourse, urging caution in their responsibilities.
The training addressed the growing issue of fake news, half-truths, and inflammatory content that threaten peace in the era of social media. Mr. Futukpor called for the elevation of journalism standards, reaffirming the role of journalists as gatekeepers of truth and ambassadors of peace and development.
