Charlotte Osei and Dr. Kwesi Aning
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, yesterday expressed worry over what she described as “unpalatable media reportage” on the commission without directing the same attacks at the political parties which actions undermine its efforts.
“Why is it that the media has not held politicians accountable for their actions which affect our activities but are always quick to crack the whip on us?” she quizzed.
She further stated that the media report with “glee” spurious allegations about how the EC and its chair intend to rig the forthcoming elections.
The EC boss, who was speaking at a media workshop held at Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) at Teshie, Accra, complained that nearly all the political parties had ignored the rules of the game.
“As I speak no political party has presented its manifesto among other requirements by law, and yet media reportage on these critical issues is silent,” she said.
Ms Charlotte Osei noted that the electoral process involves three players who are the EC, the political parties and the citizenry, and that the media are the lens through which the actions of the three groups are reported or misreported to the citizenry who are desperate for information.
Mrs. Osei, who was speaking on the theme, “Towards Peaceful Elections: Reporting on Elections and Security in 2016,” said the EC, for more than two decades, had conducted credible elections in the country, but wondered why its credibility to continue in its mandate is being challenged.
She was hopeful that a number of reforms the commission had put in place, including the creation of 29,000 polling stations for the November 7 elections, would deliver credible elections to the surprise of Ghanaians, adding that she was waiting for approval of its proposal by parliament.
Speaking on the topic, “Reporting on Security during Elections: Possible Triggers, Shortfalls, Threats and Consequences to Peace and Security,” Dr. Kwesi Aning, Director of Academic Affairs and Research, KAIPTC, decried the use of words and phrases which trigger hate speeches and violence.
He noted that heightened tensions serve as favourable destinations for terrorists and other persons with intent to cause violence to take advantage.
The director urged the media to be circumspect in whatever message they report on, bearing in mind that such reportage goes beyond the borders of the country, creating a state of insecurity.
The President of the Ghana Journalists’ Association, Affail Monney, said the pen can inflict destruction of unthinkable proportions and therefore, called for responsible journalism.
Chief Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, Police Director of Operations, lauded the media for their reportage which according to him, though sometimes very harsh, had helped them greatly to curb criminal activities. He noted that about 30% of the country’s polling stations are flash points
He however, urged the media to be guided by the code of ethics of the profession so that the country wins at the end of the polls.
The Commandant of KAIPTC, AVM Griffiths Santrofi Evans, reminded the participants of the need to secure the relative peace the country is enjoying.
By Solomon Ofori