The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), Professor Robert Ebo Hinson, has urged the media to exercise caution in their reporting as Ghana approaches the December 7 general elections, warning against inflaming tensions.
Speaking at the Media Executives Breakfast organized by the Africa Media Bureau on Thursday, November 28, Prof. Hinson emphasized the crucial role of ethical journalism in ensuring a peaceful and well-informed electoral process.
The event, themed “Ethical Considerations and Risks in Programming for Social Media: Responsible Election Reporting,” brought together media professionals to discuss best practices for covering elections in the digital age.
In his address, Prof. Hinson pointed out the dangers of misinformation and disinformation, particularly during elections, and stressed the need for fair and balanced reporting. He called on journalists and media outlets to avoid becoming platforms for political propaganda.
He also underscored the importance of distinguishing between misinformation and disinformation, explaining that this understanding is key to upholding media responsibilities.
Prof. Hinson further discussed the delicate balance between promoting free expression and preventing the spread of harmful content. While acknowledging the importance of freedom of speech in a democracy, he cautioned journalists to be mindful of the potential consequences of their reporting, especially in a politically charged environment.
“When you are doing misinformation, you are unintentionally spreading false content but when you are engaged in disinformation, you are deliberately spreading false information.
When you engage in misinformation and disinformation, you are promoting political propaganda and eventually, when you are found out, you create a loss of trust in media institutions and that cannot be your portion.
“We need to balance free expression with creating harmful content so that we don’t create eco chambers. Issues around privacy and data setting must also be approached carefully. And the media must also be careful misusing sensitive user data so as not to run into ditches.”
