The National Media Commission (NMC) has developed a mobile application (App) dubbed: “Ghana Elections Monitoring App” to help determine the circulation of fake news ahead of the December general election.
The App was developed in collaboration with Soft Masters and has a software that shows the exact location and the time videos or pictures are taken to determine their authenticity or otherwise.
The Executive Secretary of NMC, Mr George Sarpong, at a press briefing in Accra said the initiative was to discourage the circulation of fake news and promote peaceful, credible, free, and fair elections.
He said the App would help in addressing questions of misinformation and fake news and that if somebody submitted a material about an incident at a polling station, the system would enable stakeholders to know in real time whether such incident was true or fabricated.
Mr Sarpong said the App was an upgrade over the previous monitoring system the Commission deployed for previous elections and said journalists and media houses could sign on to the platform, where an account would be created for them to enable them to upload videos and pictures during the upcoming elections.
He said the platform would be an independent system, where people could verify information and facts about happenings during the election period.
Mr Sarpong said there was nothing complicated about the 2020 general election and asked the media to desist from communicating fear and danger to the citizenry.
The Chief Executive Officer of Soft Masters, Dr Ben Adu, said the application would be rolled out in the next three weeks.
He said the system would allow every mobile phone to capture videos and pictures but time-stamp each picture or video with both the GPS location and the address.
Mr Adu said once such a system was put in place, it would deter people who had intentions to churn out false information.
Dr Adu indicated that institutions that would act on information that would be provided were being assembled so that they could act promptly.
He said the software would be test-run after which it would be rolled out.
Earlier the NMC engaged some stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, National Commission for Civic Education, the National Peace Council, and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons on the App.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s inflation to average 11.5% in 2025; policy rate expected to reduce sharply – IMF
4 mins -
Let’s prioritize research quality in higher education institutions for industrial growth-Prof. Nathaniel Boso
7 hours -
Herman Suede is set to release ‘How Dare You’ on April 24
11 hours -
Heal KATH: Kuapa Kokoo, Association of Garages donate 120k to support project
11 hours -
KNUST signs MOU with Valco Trust Fund, Bekwai Municipal Hospital to build student hostel
12 hours -
The influence Ronaldo has on people, Cadman Yamoah will have same on the next generation – Coach Goodwin
12 hours -
Gender Advocate Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee Wins prestigious Merck Foundation Awards
13 hours -
South Africa bursary scandal suspects granted bail
14 hours -
Ecobank successfully repays $500m Eurobond due April 18
14 hours -
Re: Doe Adjaho, Torgbui Samlafo IV, call for Unity among Paramountcies in Anlo
14 hours -
Extortion and kidnap – a deadly journey across Mexico into the US
14 hours -
Rihanna says fashion has helped her personal ‘rediscovery’ after having children
14 hours -
Development Bank Ghana targets GH¢1bn funding for commercial banks in 2024
14 hours -
Shatta Movement apologises to Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled after backlash
15 hours -
Sammy Gyamfi writes: Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project; A railway line to nowhere
15 hours