The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is urging media practitioners to exercise caution in their reportage and also advocate for adherence to the principles of the rule of law to strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions.
This call was made during the opening ceremony of a two-day training organized by the foundation for journalists from the Greater Accra, Volta, Central, Western, and Eastern Regions of Ghana. The training aims to bolster their capacity in promoting peace journalism and fact-based conflict-sensitive reporting, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 elections in Ghana.
MFWA is implementing the project “Enhancing Media’s Role in Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana” with funding from the US Embassy, Ghana. The project seeks to build the capacity of over 50 news media organizations to publish fact-based media content that promotes peace, community resilience, and democratic values.
The training workshop aims to provide journalists with a comprehensive understanding through practical exercises, theoretical discussions, and group presentations. Topics covered include peace journalism techniques, fact-based reporting, and the media’s role in fostering community resilience.
Additionally, participants will enhance their knowledge of identifying drivers of insecurity, violent extremism, and community radicalism, as well as mastering skills in fact-checking and combating misinformation and divisive narratives.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines, a Board Member of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Professor Kwame Karikari, indicated, “We must underscore the importance of upholding the rule of law, and it falls upon the media to continuously reinforce this message to the public, political leaders, activists, and beyond.
We need to emphasize the whole question of the rule of law, and it is the media who must drum this in the heads of people, in the heads of political party leaders, the heads of political party activists and so on.”
Prof Karikari further stated that, regardless of the issue at hand, we must consistently advocate for peaceful resolutions and utilize the established institutions of the rule of law to address any concerns.
“Whatever the matter is, we must go the peaceful way, we must use the institutions of the rule of law in deciding whatever issues.”
source: city newsroom
