Mr. Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative, a Pan-African organization, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to provide prompt information to the public before, during, and after the December 7 election.
He said that that approach would help reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation during the polls and foster public trust in the electoral process.
Mr. Sesan made the suggestion at a news conference in Accra, on Thursday.
The news conference was held to share the outcomes of a multi-stakeholder engagement organized by Paradigm Initiative, aimed at ensuring that digital rights are respected before, during, and after the December 7 election.
The engagement was conducted in collaboration with Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana), the E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA), and the Internet Society Ghana Chapter (ISOC Ghana).
It was attended by representatives from various political parties, including the New Patriotic Party, the National Democratic Congress, and the People’s National Convention, along with government officials, academics, civil society organizations, and tech organizations.
Mr. Sesan rejected calls for regulating the internet, particularly social media, during election periods to address the issue of information disorder.
In October of last year, the Electoral Commission proposed a framework to regulate social media use during elections, believing it would reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation, safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, and protect the country’s democracy, peace, and security.
However, Mr. Sesan argued that such a decision would be dangerous and could have serious repercussions for the electoral process, emphasizing that it would lead to increased speculation and uncertainty.
“What we have learned over the last few years is that the electoral commissions are guilty for the reason fake news spreads. It is because they do not release information on time.
“When you want fake news to die, release real news in advance, when the process is going on, carry citizens along,
“The reason people make up information at times is because there is a gap, there’s information gaps, there’s information asymmetry, and so there are assumptions, and so there are guesses.
“So, the answer we will give to the commission is very simple. Number one, to avoid the spread of fake news, share real news on time.,” he said.
Mr. Sesan urged the Commission to build strong working relationships with the political parties, and other stakeholders, and share timely information with them to promote trust in the process.
He also cautioned the government against media control but to create standards to ensure responsible reportage.
Mr. Francis Acquah Amaning, President of the Internet Society, urged the National Communications Authority to ensure a strong internet presence during and after the polls for the timely delivery of information.
He also appealed to Ghanaians to respect the rights of their fellow citizens, especially online, and to avoid circulating false information to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr. Amaning also called on the media to adhere to professional ethics and be cautious in their reporting to safeguard the country’s democracy, peace, and security.
A communiqué released at the conclusion of the multi-stakeholder engagement emphasised the importance of safeguarding citizens’ digital rights as the country approaches the elections to ensure transparency.
Ms. Khadijah El-Usman, Regional Lead for Anglophone Africa at Paradigm Initiative, who read the communiqué at a news conference, identified misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and internet restrictions as significant factors that could undermine public trust, influence voter behavior, and compromise the electoral process.
The communiqué stated that protecting citizens’ digital rights was essential for “enabling informed decision-making and maintaining the credibility of elections.”
It called for the empowerment of citizens regarding electoral processes and their digital rights.
“Additionally, a structured code of conduct for media operations during election periods is recommended to promote responsible journalism,” it added.
GNA