The President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has emphasised the importance for journalists to fact-check every piece of information they come across as the country prepares to go to the polls on December 7, 2024. 

According to him, effective fact-checking is non-negotiable going into the general elections.

The GJA boss was speaking at a two-day ‘Advanced Course on Disinformation and Fact-checking During the Election Process for Ghanaian Journalists’, held at the Embassy of Spain in Accra.

The course is being organised by the Embassy of Spain in Accra and the Casa Africa (Spanish Public Diplomacy Institution) in collaboration with the GJA and Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation.

Albert Dwumfour lamented the rampant spread of false information on social media platforms, now rearing its ugly head in the traditional media.

"We are witnessing what some people refer to as exaggerated government achievements where the ruling party is accused of spreading false information about its accomplishments to secure votes and the opposition is criticized for spreading misinformation about the election process to discredit the ruling party.

"It must be emphasised that disinformation can be used to deceive and manipulate voters, thereby eroding confidence in our elections. We've seen it happen in various countries, where state-sponsored disinformation campaigns have targeted independent news outlets and journalists. It is in light of this that fact-checking is now an essential tool in journalism," the GJA President noted.

He explained that in this era where misinformation and disinformation spread like wildfire, threatening to undermine the very foundations of our democracy, it was important that fact-checking become a priority for journalists since it is now an essential tool in journalism.

"If we competently verify information and debunk false claims, we help to promote transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making among our citizens. So in this year's election, it is our journalistic duty to factually inform our audiences so they can separate the facts from the untruth to decide which candidates to vote for in both the presidential and the parliamentary elections.

"As journalists, we are charged with the responsibility to be the gatekeepers of information. Our job is not only to report the news but also to provide context, analysis, and insight. We wield the power to shape public opinion and influence the national conversation.

Albert Dwumfour further emphasized that fact-checking is crucial and it is essential to verify information before sharing it, especially during elections. 

"We must be cautious of sources with vested interests and biased agendas. As journalists, we need to bear in mind that reputable fact-checking organizations and independent media outlets are vital in separating fact from fiction. It is the only surest way of not falling prey to disinformation.

KA

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