Journalists at a conflict sensitive reporting training workshop in Kumasi in the Ashanti region have unanimously identified abuse of social media as one of the serious potential threats to the country’s peace and security in the 2020 general election.
The 30 journalists drawn across the country agreed that the misuse of social media by political party activists if not checked could create serious challenges to Ghana’s peace before, during and after the elections.
Organized by the UNDP in collaboration with National Peace Council, Ghana Journalists Association, (GJA), National Development Planning Commission, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Office of the Senior Minister and YES Ghana among others, the training sought to sharpen the knowledge of the journalists on conflict sensitive reporting as
Ghana gears up towards the 2020 elections. The participants further identified political vigilantism, monetization of the electoral process and media polarization as other factors that could threaten the country’s peace.
They are of the view that because of acts of political vigilantism perpetuated by political parties activists that have gone unpunished, party activists are emboldened to continue to engage in the act thereby threatening the peace and security of the country.
They however expressed the hope that with the passage of the Anti-Vigilantism Act, the problem could be brought under control by government and other stakeholders by demonstrating their commitment to fighting it.
On media polarization, the journalists expressed worry that some politicians have established their own radio stations and use them to do propaganda thereby creating tension.
Some journalists have also aligned themselves to political parties and politicians and engage in unethical and unprofessional behavior.
They said people perceived to be activists of a particular political party are allowed to rundown others from different political divide.
This situation the journalists believe has the potential to disturb the peace of the nation.
On how to strategise to address the threats, the journalists pledged to intensify educational campaign by using their platforms.
They further intend to collaborate with credible Civil society organizations to get accurate information instead of being sensational.
“We will also use our gate keeping role to prevent publication or broadcasting of hatred speeches by politicians”, the journalists promised.
Story filed by GBC’s Sualah Abdul-wahab
