By Krobea Asante Tofepa Ntomentwene:
Socio-serve Ghana and the Media Foundation for West Africa have jointly organized a two day workshop for some selected media houses and hosts of Morning Shows, political programs, and news casters. The two day program which was held on the 28th and 29th of June and which came off at the Hotel Starr Villa at Kpong in the Eastern region.
The event which was aimed at training media practitioners on the how and why to ensure professional and conflict-sensitive drew together a cross section of radio broadcasters.
Participants were drawn from notable radio stations across the country including Rite FM, Thank You FM, Cruz FM, Beyond FM and , Victory FM. Others included De- Beat, Radio Windy Bay, Nhyira FM, Luv FM, Bridge FM, Bohye FM and Pure FM.
Addressing participants, Principal Programmes Officer of Socio-serve Ghana, Mr. John Obuoba told the media personnel that journalists in the country play a vital role in maintaining peace in the country before during and after every elections and therefore the need for hosts of elections related programs hosts and producers to exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Professor Kwame Karikari, Media Trainer and Director of Media Foundation for West Africa on his part took participants through conflict-sensitive reporting and dimensions. He urged media practitioners to report reliably and unbiased without fueling flames.
According to him, media practitioners had the responsibility of providing the relevant election related information to the voter, help them understand their rights and also direct them to make informed decisions.
‘Accuracy, balance and honesty must be exhibited by journalists to ensure issue – oriented reporting and programming,’ Professor Karikari emphasized while adding that ‘exaggerations and allowing politicians to set their own agenda must be avoided.’
At the end of the workshop, participants expressed contentment at the event, confident that the training was important as it will guide them to help listeners know what is expected of them and what the politicians are expected to do.
Source: ritefmonline.org
