The GJA/US Embassy elections Project dubbed “Peaceful Journalistic Discourse” for the Accra Zone has ended.
The project which was launched in November 2023, seeks to offer professional development to Online Editors, Producers, On Air Personalities and Talk Show Hosts, aimed at building their knowledge base in contributing to violent free platforms.
The GJA and US Embassy have so far, jointly rolled out workshops for Journalists in Four Zones namely the Volta Zone, the Ashanti Zone, Northern Zone and Accra Zone, awaiting that of the Western zone.
Speaking at the Accra Zone workshop on Friday (March 15, 2024), the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer advised Journalists to be wary of disinformation mechanism during elections and called on them to stay away from it.
She explained that this type of disinformation, often driven by state actors, undermines democracy and confidence in government.
“Because when democracies like ours succeed, authoritarian regimes fail. So, they will do whatever is possible to harm democratic processes and sow division and doubt”, the US Ambassador explained.
According to her, West Africa has experienced democratic backsliding in the last few years, as four governments in the Sahel have fallen victim to coups.
“And it’s important to point out that many analysts saw a rise in disinformation online and in social media groups before these coups”, she added
She therefore cautioned the media against disinformation and called on them to dispel any information that compromises our democracy.
The US Ambassador later commended Journalists for their yeoman’s job over the past years in ensuring peace in the country.
She said the resilience with which Journalists continue to work in the face of threats and attacks is worth mentioning.
“Journalists face threats, both physical and digital, that seek to silence critical voices and stifle press freedom. The courage to report honestly in such an environment is commendable and a testament to the resilience and dedication of the journalist community”, the US Ambassador emphasized.
She said it is the collective responsibility of governments, civil society, and the international community to protect, support, and champion the rights of journalists and media organizations.
“Your safety and freedom are indispensable to the health of our democracies”, she added.
Touching on the project, the US Ambassador noted that Ghana and the US have a lot in common as both countries edge closer to the 2024 presidential elections adding that the role of a free, vibrant, and professional press has never been more paramount.
“ We gather today at a critical juncture in our history at a time when the strength of democracy is being tested worldwide.
We share a lot of the same challenges when it comes to elections as well: challenges to democracy and disinformation aimed at sowing mistrust in our institutions and our elections”, Madam Palmer stressed.
She expressed the US Embassy’s commitment to collaborate with Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in training Journalists.
On his part the GJA President, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour revealed that the theme of the GJA/US Embassy Ghana project “ Promoting Peaceful Journalistic Media Platforms ahead of Election 2024 (Journalists For Peaceful Discourse), focuses on Promoting violent free and credible elections in Ghana in 2024 through well-informed and trained journalists who use best practices for fact-based and non-partisan election reporting.
“It is our hope that the objective of this project would help shape the media system and further reduce the excesses to the barest minimum”, Mr. Dwumfour added.
He therefore called on Journalists to be circumspect and demonstrate high level of professionalism during election coverage.
The GJA President later commended US Embassy for the support and stressed the GJA’s willingness to continue to partner with them in ensuring press freedom and the deepening of our democracy in Ghana.
The Discourse saw Experts and stakeholders taking Journalists through effective ways identifying disinformation mechanisms as well as ensuring violence free coverage.
They include US based Journalist Sarah J. Watchter, the Executive Secretary of National Peace Council Mr. George Amoh, Director of Police Public Affairs, ACP Grace Ansah and Director of Training at the Electoral Commission Mr. Michael Boadu
Source:newsflashafrica.com
