The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged the media to fact-check and debunk misinformation as the country approaches the 2024 general elections.

The Association explains that the media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, holding leaders accountable, and ensuring transparency in governance and as such must be intentional about what it distributes to help ensure democratic governance and peaceful elections.

He made these remarks at the 28th GJA Award Committee inauguration event in Accra.

The president of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said, “The media has the power to influence voter behaviour and hold leaders accountable. I must emphasise, however, that with this power of the media, comes a great responsibility to ensure democratic governance and peaceful elections.

“The media must provide balanced and impartial reporting and avoid sensationalism and bias, focus on issue-based reporting, rather than personality-driven coverage. Give voice to diverse perspectives, including marginalised communities and fact-check and debunk misinformation.

“In an era where fake news, polarising narratives and disinformation spread like wildfire, it was therefore important for the media to remain alert and fact-check what comes through to them.

“It is the only way, as the fourth Estate of the Realm, we can be said to be playing our constitutionally mandated role.”