The Ghana Journalists, Association (GJA) has served notice it will not shield members who engage in unprofessional acts in the lead up to the 2024 elections.

The President of GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour’s caution comes after the GJA and National Media Commission's monitoring report found that the media was used to incite violence during the 2020 elections.

Speaking at the launch of an Election 2024 Project aimed at training journalists on election reportage to promote peace before, during and after the elections, Mr. Dwumfuor urged media practitioners to eschew all forms of reporting that have the tendency to incite violence.

“Freedom of expression does not only mean allowing people to speak but also ensuring responsibility. Findings of a GJA/MNC media monitoring during the December 7 elections revealed that incitement on media platforms topped types of violence perpetuated during the election.

“This is the reason I keep admonishing media practitioners and institutions to be very professional in the discharge of their duties. I want to reiterate that the GJA does not and will not condone unprofessional conduct. We will not shield or provide cover for defiance of professionalism,” he said.

According to him, the GJA will roll out a monitoring mechanism to call out media practitioners and institutions that lower the bar of professionalism.

On behalf of the US Embassy, which is the implementing partner of the project, Press Attaché in Ghana, Kevin Brosnahen, emphasised the importance of skilled journalists in peaceful elections and pledged the embassy's support for journalist training.

“We will support GJA’s regional training for journalists to improve their fact-based reporting on elections, help fight election mis/dis-information and support high-quality information related to the election,” he said.