The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has restated its commitment to defend every journalist under attack as the country goes to the general elections on December 7, 2024.

According to the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, as the leader of the umbrella body of all journalists in the country, "My concern now is the work and safety of the journalists before, during, and after the elections."

He spoke at a two-day Advanced Course on Disinformation and Fact-checking During the Election Process for Ghanaian Journalists 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 criticised 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 stressed that journalists have a duty to inform their audience to enable them to choose who they want to vote for during the upcoming election.

"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 of being 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 emphasised 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 organisations 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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