The Ghana Journalist Association(GJA) and the Electoral Commission(EC) co-hosted a program to train some Journalists on how to report the 2020 general elections without hindrances.
Journalists from six (6) Regions, Upper West, Northern, Upper East, Savannah, North East, and Oti Region went through the training workshop in Tamale on Thursday, November 26th, 2020.
Northern Regional EC Director, Mr. Lucas Yiriyel presented to the participants the electoral laws of Ghana and the expected conduct of the media as observers.
According to him, journalists will be playing the role of election observers besides being journalists and therefore tasked journalists to do a good job to guarantee a good election reportage.
“We value your work and we want you to also do a good job, by reporting what you see the truth, and the truth shall set us free,” he said.
Dr. Bonnah Koomson, a Media Consultant took participants through some key principles of election reporting to ensure standard practice by journalists on the day of elections.
Dr. Koomson cautioned journalists on the calling of results and party endorsements.
According to him, the powers of the EC to declare results must not be taken away by journalists and media houses.
He again noted results announced by the media houses in their projection must be verified and certified by EC for the official declaration.
Vice President of Ghana Journalist Association(GJA), Mrs. Linda Asante Adjei thanked the Electoral Commission and the participating journalists for making the program a success.
She appealed to the journalist to make a big difference in protecting the electoral integrity of the country.
Adil Fuseini
