In the lead-up to the general elections 2024, the National Peace Council (NPC) has urged news editors to control the information they disseminate to the public.
The dissemination of false information and hate speech, according to the Council, is progressively undermining confidence in the democracy of the country.
“It is more important than ever to combat misleading information and deceptive narratives as we approach the elections.”
“In recent times, hate speech, false information, and disinformation have proliferated.”
At a conference with news editors on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu Gyamfi, the chairman of the Peace Council, stated, “This is where editors are most needed to manage the information that get to the public.”
Rev. Dr. Adu Gyamfi expressed worry over the arsenal of false information to sway public opinion.
It may “potentially swing election outcomes [and] lead to war,” he claims.
“It is important to recognize the consequences of these actions,” he said.
Guidelines on hate speech
The National Media Commission (NMC) and the Peace Council are credited with working together to create norms on hate speech.
It claims that foul language and filthy expressions have also posed a serious threat to the nation.
It is anticipated that the rules will aid in curbing these new problems.
“Voters find it difficult to discern between fact and fiction and to make well-informed decisions.”
The Peace Council encourages the media to develop a mindset of conflict-sensitive reporting as the elections get near and to offer fair and impartial accounts.
