Professionals must abide by code of ethics for peaceful elections — NMC
The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, has called on professionals who would be engaged in the November 7 election to abide by their code of ethics to ensure a peaceful election.
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‘‘There is a code of ethics for the police, the political parties, media, for all organisations and all professions. If we all live by our professional standards, we will not have any problem during the election’’, he said.
The NMC boss said there was no need for people to cut corners to achieve their targets and that would contribute to indiscipline in the system. The consequences of unprofessionalism, according to him, could be disastrous and therefore, must be prevented.
NMC project launch
At the launch of the NMC Election 2016 project in Ho on the theme: “Improving Media Regulations in the regions for peaceful election 2016,” Mr Gyan-Apenteng advised professionals to do their work well in the election season for the survival of the country.
The election 2016 project is being funded by Strengthening Transparency Accountability and Responsiveness (STAR) Ghana and designed to enable the NMC to create a synergy between the Commission and the various stakeholders.
He asked politicians to research topics before speaking to prevent misinformation while media practitioners who fed the populace with the information should also exhibit high professionalism by also cross-checking their facts before putting them in the public domain.
According to the NMC chairman, the project was launched in the Volta Region because it was considered to be one of the hot regions when it came to elections.
“We are launching the project here and I believe that if the project succeeds here, we will succeed in other regions,” he stated.
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Media is key for successful elections
The NMC Executive Secretary, Mr George Sarpong, said the media should not give audience to only political parties but also peacemakers and the vulnerable groups as well.
The media, he noted, held the key to a successful election.
‘‘Let’s endeavour to do our work well because every blood that is spilled as a result of our work will be a burden on all of us,’’ he cautioned.
The Chairman of the Volta Media Advisory Committee of the NMC, Most Rev. Emmanuel Fianu, said although there were differences in religious beliefs and ethnicity, there had been an element of peace in the country. He, therefore, charged political parties not to take the peace of the country for granted and make unguarded statements and hate speeches.
He said every citizen must serve as an instrument of peace during the period of the election.