Professor, Justice A.K.P. Kludze, Visiting Senior Fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs (lEA), has observed that just as it is fair to rush to publish a "scoop" or a major breaking news, the rush sometimes comes at the expense of caution and, thus, allows the dissemination of untruths and half-truths which can be very damaging to individuals and organisations. He said the pain and damage inflicted by such publications could be tremendous and might last for a long time. "Above all they can cause irreparable harm to our body politic and our democratic processes and institutions". Prof. Kludze made this observation at the forum for senior media personnel and political party leaders at Koforidua at the weekend. He mentioned the deliberate resort to vituperation, abuse and vulgar language in the print media and, particularly on radio talk shows as the more alarming developments in the media, adding that often, there was no restraint in the choice of language or in the vilification of opponents. "Talk show participants give the clear impression that they are striving to excel each other in the hurling of unbridled insults. Even in such cases, the hosts refuse to intervene when they have both the capacity and the means to stop them. "These actions and words on talk shows are dividing the nation and causing incalculable damage. They polarise the nation, particularly along party political lines. They thereby encourage factional animosity and acrimony in our political discourse," he stressed. Prof. Kludze noted that many of the contributions and, discussions on the air are deliberately confrontational and are apparently designed to inflame passions and deepen antagonism and provoke violent reactions. "It is time to cause a halt to these media miscreants before the 2012 electioneering campaigns are propelled into full gear. Otherwise the country can very well be predictably plunged into chaos and anarchy, our pretensions to democratic credentials notwithstanding". He tasked senior media practitioners to play a crucial role in establishing strategic responses to the threatening menace. "The destructive role of the media in places like Rwanda is well known. A careless inflammatory language by even one journalist can be a catalyst for unleashing mayhem in our environment. We must not allow this to happen. That is why the Institute of Economic Affairs, has embarked upon this form of early intervention to contain what appears to be a real threat to our democracy. "We hope that all of you will join us in this crusade to use the media to lower tensions and reduce the alarming upsurge in the political temperature in this pre-election year." He stressed that it would be entirely appropriate that senior media practitioners, in collaboration with the leaders of the political parties, strategised to take the unnecessary heat and rancour out of the nation's political discourse, saying "all of us will have nothing to lose but everything to gain". Prof. Klutse observed that the media wield enormous power over the political and social development of the nation and constitute a formidable force that could shape the destiny of any nation. "This unelected and non-appointed group of practitioners of the inky fraternity has long been recognized as a class which has a vital role to play, in the democratic governance of any nation. That is why the Press freedom is one of the casualties in the assault of a dictator on the rights and liberty of the citizen. A vigilant and vibrant press is a ,bulwark against tyranny, as it will expose the deficiencies of an incompetent administration, much as it will uncover corruption and other social vices" He said. Source: The Ghanaian Times/Ghana