Media houses advised to develop in house training for Journalists prior to elections



The General Coordinator, Communication for Development and Advocacy, CDA, Francis Ameyibor had advocated strongly for media houses to develop an effective in-house training and guidelines for journalists on election reportage. 

He observed that most often, some media houses engage the services of interns and National Service Personnel to report on elections. 

The practice, he bemoaned, creates room for electoral violence since they are not abreast with electoral laws and ethical guidelines governing elections. 

Mr. Ameyibor, said considering the crucial nature of this year's general elections, it was incumbent on media houses to recruit experience persons, adding that with the right training and capacity support, reporters will stick to the existing guidelines and report responsibly to avert any eventuality. 

Mr. Ameyibor gave the advice in an interview with Radio Ghana’s Isaac Asare in Sunyani.

Mr. Ameyibor said most African countries have suffered long years of violent conflicts as a result of irresponsible media reportage, and for Ghana to be continually touted as the oasis of peace and democracy, journalists should remain neutral before, during and after elections. 

In doing so, they also owe it a responsibility to develop content for their programs and ensure national cohesion by providing equal platform for minority parties as well as vulnerable groups.

GBC