Election 2024 coverage: NMC urges journalists to prioritise safety

The National Media Commission (NMC) has urged media practitioners, especially journalists, to prioritise their safety during the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections. 

It has, therefore, urged media practitioners, especially journalists covering the elections, to take advantage of its recently launched mobile app, Ghana Media Watch, to ensure their safety.

The mobile app is to promote the safety of journalists and ensure the integrity of the upcoming elections. 

App

The NMC Executive Secretary, George Sarpong, who introduced the app to journalists at the International Press Centre in Accra, said it allows journalists to record evidence of attacks or incidents in real time, which is then sent to the NMC and the nearest police station.

"The difficulty has always been how to find the evidence to pursue justice for our colleagues," Mr Sarpong said.

"This app gives us an opportunity to record evidence relating to attacks on journalists," he said.

He said the app also features a tool for tracking election results, allowing journalists to verify the accuracy of results announced at polling stations.

Mr Sarpong emphasised that the NMC did not intend to declare results, but rather provide data and evidence to support the work of journalists.

In addition to promoting election integrity, Mr Sarpong said the app was also designed to combat disinformation and hate speech. 

Fake news

The Executive Secretary of the NMC noted that in previous elections, individuals had spread false information by sharing videos or images from other parts of Africa and presenting them as evidence of events in Ghana.

"The app allows journalists to verify the accuracy of such claims by cross-checking them with real-time video and images from the location in question," he said.

He said it was part of the NMC's efforts to promote a safe and free environment for journalists to work during the elections. Mr Sarpong encouraged all journalists to download the app and use it to protect themselves and their colleagues.

"It is our prayer that all of us will be able to support you as you go on the field," Mr Sarpong said.

"We know that you are going to do what you've always done for this society; reporting accurately about the elections," he said.