The chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has emphasized the significance of the upcoming 2024 election.
In a speech delivered at the 27th GJA Awards held in Accra on Sunday (29 October), Jean Mensa stated that the 2024 election is more than a democratic exercise and will be a critical test of the country’s resilience.
She pointed out that the stakes for the 2024 election are high since it could significantly impact the peace and security of the country.
She, therefore, urged the media to be well-informed about the delicate interplay required of them to safeguard Ghana’s democracy, peace, and harmony.
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“The 2024 Election will be more than a democratic exercise; it is the test of our nation’s resilience.”
“As journalists, you’ll play a crucial role in building up that resilience. You’re the ears, eyes and hearts of the citizens,” she said.
The role of journalists could either impact the nation positively or negatively, Mensa said and called for the truth to be upheld at all times.
“Ensure that your work goes beyond mere rhetoric to practising responsible journalism”, she admonished and acknowledged the pioneering role the media had played in shaping and shepherding the nation’s democracy over the years.
The EC chairperson chastised some media outlets for being used as vehicles for spreading propaganda, churning falsehoods and misinformation, thus, polarising the citizenry on political party lines.
The media must rise to their responsibility of promoting transparency, truth and accuracy, she said.
“Your work as journalists will impact positively or negatively on our dear nation. As the Fourth Estate, you’re not only facets of our democracy, you’re its bedrock, beacon of truth.”
“You’re the guardians of transparency. You’re the vanguard for freedom, catalyst for informing and shaping public debate,” Mensa added.
The National Media Commission, she said, must ensure strict adherence to media ethics and set the standards to promote truth and respect and punish those who flout the rules and regulations.
The citizens must be discerning and demand the truth always from the media.
“The power of the pen is unmatched and, therefore, must always engage in fact-checking of every information received thoroughly to avoid misinforming the public.”
In all, 34 awards were presented to journalists and media organizations for exceptional reporting and excellent work, with Erasmus Asare Donkor, a broadcast journalist with Multimedia Group, being crowned the Journalist of the Year.
The event was on the theme: “Leveraging Media Freedom to Sustain the Democratic and Security Architecture: The Litmus Test of Election 2024”.
