By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Bolgatanga, Nov 27, GNA – The Ghana News Agency (GNA) has admonished its reporters and stringers to remain professional in the coverage of the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
Mrs Hannah Zemp-Tapang, the Upper East Regional Manager of the GNA, said accuracy and factual reports were essential in election coverage and it was important journalists paid keen attention to details.
She emphasised that discipline on the part of the journalists was key to ensuring credible election and charged them to adhere to ethical standards on election day.
“I must also emphasise that while we expect you to produce timely and accurate reports on election day, you must, as much as possible, stay out of trouble and not become the news yourselves,” she added.
The Regional Manager gave the advice in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region during a training organised by the Agency for its regional reporters and stringers ahead of the 2024 elections to keep them abreast with the electoral processes and legalities.
It was to also reposition them with the required skills needed to produce timely and accurate reports, including videos, on election day.
She emphasized the need for them to be at the polling stations early to observe the voting process.
Mr Eric Amoh, the Northern Regional Manager of the GNA and co-facilitator of the workshop, indicated that even though some of the reporters might have had experience in election coverage, the dynamics were not the same and underscored the need for them to remain professional.
“Elections come and go, and though we may have the same features, the dynamic usually will change”.
“And you can see that there is a high level of tension in this year’s election, and there would be deliberate attempts and tactics to throw in figures, and as professionals you must not rely on third parties for information,” he stated.
He advised the reporters to rely on the Electoral Commission’s officials for information and try as much as possible to cross-check their facts before disseminating.
The Upper East Region has 15 constituencies, including Bawku central Pusiga, Garu, Binduri, Tempane, Navrongo, Paga -China, Bongo, Zebilla , Nabdam, Talensi , Bolgatanga East, Builsa North, Builsa South and Bolgatanga Central.
GNA