The Techiman South Metropolitan Electoral Commission Officer, Mr. Williams Banfo Apoli as part of efforts to curb misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information ahead of the upcoming elections, has organized an indoor training session for staff of Classic FM.
The training focused on the importance of accurate reporting and the role of the media in promoting peaceful elections. Mr. Williams Banfo Apoli, took the staff through the general overview of the election-day activities, election day reporting responsibilities, professional conduct and compliance with EC’s guidelines, and post election follow-up and peace campaign
He stressed on the impact of fake news and disinformation saying it poses a significant threat to the electoral process and urged journalists and media outlets to prioritize fact-based reporting by giving accurate information in a timely manner.
Mr. Apoli said the EC aims to get a serene atmosphere to run the elections and believe the media can help them to achieve that aim hence the training session.
“We are very grateful to the management of Classic FM for given us this opportunity, the Electoral Commission aim is to get a serene atmosphere to operate as an organization and we know that through the media, we can get such atmosphere in the community.
“We deemed it appropriate to engage media houses and train their staff on how best they can report on the elections, we are not here to teach the media how to do their work because they have their ethics as to how to operate but the EC wants to offer them the opportunity to ask some questions that may be bothering them and I can say we have enjoyed a fruitful conversation with them.
“With the experience of their staff and the insights we have provided, I am convinced that we will get a very good reportage from them and in turn a peaceful elections.” He said.
Classic FM’s General Manager, Mr. Godswill Duah, expressed gratitude to the EC directorate for the engagement. He called for the training to be extended to other media organizations and stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
“Techiman is one of the flashpoint areas in the country, so I strongly believe that this training will be beneficial in terms of ensuring a peaceful atmosphere before, during, and after the elections.
“Sometimes, we journalists act all too knowing which is very bad but this training has broaden our horizon on electoral activities. We as a media platform will from hence increase publicity on the electoral process as well as the rules and regulations that governs the elections.
“I will ever appeal to the EC officers not continue with such engagements, they should visit other media houses in the metropolis, they should visit churches, traditional council, Imams, and other communities to educate them on the laws governing the election.
The manager urged the media and residents of Techiman to desist from any activity that will disrepute the image of Techiman before, during, and after the December polls.
“Techiman is now a metropolitan assembly, so we should do everything possible to protect the image of Techiman, what happened last four (4) years shouldn’t happen again, we as journalists also have a vital role to play, we should be circumspect in our reportage and I believe that by so doing, we can protect the image of our city by ensuring a peaceful, smooth, free, fair, and transparent elections.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
