The Wenchi Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Francis Cudjoe, has reminded media practitioners to critically examine speeches by politicians and party functionaries before publishing them to foster an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

He said phone-in segments of radio programmes and text messages sent to presenters for public consumption must be in good taste to prevent inflamed passions.

Citing instances across the African continent, Mr Cudjoe said, "It stands to reason that media persons ought to be very careful and circumspect in their reportage to the public".

The Wenchi NCCE Director, who was interacting with JoyNews at Wenchi in the Bono region, pointed out that Article 162(1) of the 1992 Constitution guaranteed the freedom of the media and also encouraged practitioners to deal with issues or make reports of whatever happened in the country dispassionately.

"In fact, the nation should count on your high level of integrity in performing your duties since the media, both the print and electronic, have a vital role in ensuring that the 2024 general election is peaceful," he said.

He further said if what the media offer the public seeks to promote peace, there would be peace in the country, but if they put up calls for provocation and violence, there would be violence among the people.

 Mr Cujoe called on all stakeholders to work creditably and conscientiously to ensure a credible election on December 7, further boosting the country's democracy.

"If elections become free, fair and transparent, it gives room for all citizens to participate in the government process, inject trust, respect and confidence in the people to go about their duties freely, reduces intimidation, authoritarianism, conflicts and violence in society", he observed.

The NCCE Director stated that elections are about politicians expressing their views and plans for the development of the people they want to lead but not about actions that would mar the nation's peace and tranquillity.

He added, "It is indeed the responsibility of all of us to exhibit civility and Godly virtues so that the country will experience peace before, during and after the elections".

Joining the interaction, a Chief Editor at the Ghana Broadcasting’s Wa office, Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo, emphasised that the future of Ghana's democratic progress is closely linked with the growth and development of the media since practitioners do not only reflect the society but even more critically provide the country's system of government with the vital ingredient for it to remain a functional democratic state.

He stated that misinformation erodes trust and undermines the credibility that the media strived valiantly to maintain and that credibility is the foundation of the media in any democratic society.

Mr Mensah-Abludo suggested that any journalist who decides to work as a formal domestic observer or party agent during the upcoming election should not be accorded journalistic rights and privileges.

He advised journalists covering the 2024 general election to always be circumspect in their coverage.

“Journalists and media persons covering the December general election should know and understand basic electoral terms such as polling agent, polling staff, polling assistant, presiding officer, impersonation, irregularities and multiple voting,

He urged all journalists and media persons to make sure they use open and direct means to gather information during the election.