By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, Dec 6, GNA – The Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition, made up of Fact-Space West Africa, Media Foundation for West Africa, and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, has opened the Tamale Media Situation Room as part of efforts to counter misinformation during this year’s elections on Saturday.
Mr Rabiu Alhassan, Executive Director, Fact-Space West Africa, speaking during the opening of the set up in Tamale, said the Tamale Media Situation Room was a joint commitment to
combat misinformation, promote information integrity and support free and fair elections in the country.
The event was attended by key stakeholders and partners, including the Northern Regional Media Advisory Committee of the National Media Commission (NMC), Northern Regional Peace Council, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the National Commission for Civic Education, and journalists amongst others.
Mr Alhassan said the Tamale Media Situation Room would serve as a hub for monitoring, fact-checking, real-time tracking and analysing election-related narratives.
He said it would also serve as a collaborative platform, which would enable media partners and fact checkers to work together in verifying information and combating false claims whilst fostering transparency by connecting journalists, stakeholders and members of the public to promote credible elections.
He said, “As stakeholders, your involvement is critical to supporting ethical reporting and transparency, countering misinformation by sharing verified facts, advocating for responsible media practices and civic engagement whilst strengthening collaborative efforts in these elections.”
Mr Abdul-Majeed Yakubu, Northern Regional Chairman, GJA said the initiative was not only timely and appropriate but also strategic, especially as Tamale served as the gateway to the rest of the five regions in the north.
He said, on the part of the GJA, the media was fully prepared to cover the elections, adding the GJA had built the capacity of journalists to enable them to provide responsible reportage before, during and after the elections.
He urged journalists to desist from reporting based on hearsay and from social media platforms since such an act could result in misinformation and jeopardize the integrity of the elections.
Mr Eric K. Amoh, Coordinator, Northern Regional Media Advisory Committee of the NMC, and Northern Regional Manager, Ghana News Agency, urged media practitioners to demonstrate professionalism in their reportage and uphold the truth to help counter misinformation and ensure transparency in the elections.
Alhaji Mohammed Awal Alhassan, a Council Member, Northern Regional Peace Council, urged all stakeholders involved in this year’s elections to play their roles effectively to help consolidate the country’s democracy.
GNA