Afrimass Network, in partnership with The High Street Journal, under the Newsroom Business Initiative, successfully launched the National Election Conference 2024 on Tuesday, 10th September 2024 at the GH Media School, Mega Studio. The conference, themed “Electoral Journalism: The Vital Role of Newsroom in National Election Coverage”, focused on the indispensable role of the media in ensuring transparent and credible reporting during national elections.
The objective of this event was to highlight how the newsroom can maintain integrity, accuracy, and accountability during election coverage, ultimately protecting the democratic process. With Ghana’s 2024 national elections approaching, the discussions centered on how journalists and media managers can foster public trust and provide factual, unbiased coverage that influences the national discourse.
The conference featured notable media professionals who provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of electoral journalism:
Martha Acquah, News Editor at Adom Brands (Multimedia Group Ltd.), shared her expertise on managing newsrooms during critical election periods. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that the content delivered to the public is accurate, timely, and fair, while also discussing the challenges of overseeing a team in a fast-paced media environment.
Kweku Owusu-Peprah, Channel Manager at JoyNews (Multimedia Group Ltd.), brought attention to the increasing demand for credible news in the digital age and how JoyNews has positioned itself as a trusted source for election coverage. He spoke on how media organizations can leverage technology and multimedia platforms to engage with the public while maintaining journalistic integrity.
Clifford Ladzepko, Deputy Director of Academics at GH Media School, discussed the role of media education in preparing the next generation of journalists to report on elections with a focus on professionalism and ethics.
Joyce Nyame, Program Manager at YouthBridge Foundation, offered a perspective on youth engagement in election processes, highlighting the need for involving young journalists in the electoral process and shaping the future of political coverage.
The presentations and panel discussions covered several essential topics, including:
Speakers emphasized the need for newsrooms to maintain neutrality, particularly during sensitive election periods. Reporting misinformation or biased content could skew public perception and undermine the electoral process.
With the rise of digital and social media, journalists must adopt innovative tools to deliver real-time election updates. Speakers discussed the growing impact of online platforms on election coverage and how to navigate the challenges of disinformation.
The ethical responsibility of journalists in maintaining fairness and avoiding sensationalism during elections was a recurring theme. This involved ensuring that the information reported reflects the diverse political views in society without promoting one agenda over another.
The event also addressed the significance of engaging audiences, particularly young voters, and how newsrooms can involve them in national conversations through interactive formats.
The National Election Conference 2024 concluded with a call to action for newsrooms and journalists to uphold the core values of journalism—accuracy, fairness, and integrity—during the upcoming national elections. Attendees left with a renewed commitment to delivering comprehensive and trustworthy election coverage that supports Ghana’s democratic framework.
This conference laid the foundation for future initiatives aimed at reinforcing the newsroom’s role in elections, empowering media professionals to continue serving as the watchdogs of democracy.
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