The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has expressed concern over lapses in gatekeeping roles by some media hosts and producers, allowing indecent expressions to persist on their platforms.
According to its monitoring of 30 media stations across Ghana, only 9% of media personnel moderated or demanded corrections for intemperate language aired on their platforms.
In an interview with Channel One News on November 21, Dr Kojo Impriam, Programme Director for Media for Peace and Sustainable Development at MFWA, highlighted that political and current affairs programmes often fail to uphold journalistic standards.
The interview was on the sidelines of a training session organised by the MFWA on Countering Mis/Disinformation and Negative Language Behaviors Ahead of Ghana’s 2024 Elections, funded by the U.S. Embassy, Ghana.
Dr. Kojo Impriam, Programme Director for Media for Peace and Sustainable Development at MFWA“Some hosts, producers, and editors are losing out on their gatekeeping roles, which should ensure the media provides fact-based reporting and fosters decent discussions,” Dr. Impriam said.
The MFWA, under its language monitoring project, has initiated training and monitoring interventions, supported by the U.S. Embassy, targeting stations identified for frequent use of offensive language. In the Northern Region, about seven stations are being monitored, while the numbers are significantly higher in Kumasi and Accra.
“Stations such as Wontumi Radio, Oman FM, and Accra FM are leading in the use of insults and other intemperate behaviours,” Dr Impriam noted.
The Foundation hopes its monthly reports on these stations would encourage broadcasters to promote civility, urging hosts to be more mindful in their work.
Additionally, Prof Benjamin A. Davis from Morgan State University, USA, advised Ghanaian journalists to prioritise accuracy and fairness over speed in their reporting as the elections approach.
“Journalists should remain as open and honest as possible, avoiding actions that may incite violence,” Prof Davis remarked. He also emphasised the importance of journalistic neutrality, stating that audiences should never be able to discern a journalist’s political affiliation.
Matthew K. Asada, the Press Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, highlighted the embassy’s holistic approach to supporting Ghana’s democracy.
He emphasised that this year’s focus includes equipping the media to effectively report on the elections and combat misinformation/disinformation, which is critical for ensuring credible outcomes.
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