As the 2012 general election beckons, with the incessant intolerance of divergent political views from political opponents coupled with insults that have characterised the media landscape, the1eadership of the various political parties have been cautioned against the use of intemperate language on their opponents. Radio stations that invite panelists for discussions on the basis of their political affiliation and end up fuelling the already charged political temperature, have also been urged to instead invite professionals who would make dispassionate analysis of issues. Speakers at a democratic forum in Accra Thursday expressed these views as part of activities to mark World Democracy Day. It was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on the theme "Politics of Insults and Intolerance: A Threat to Democratic Consolidation in Ghana." Setting the tone for the discussion, the Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, whose paper was on "The Power and Responsibility of the Media in the Consolidation of Democracy in Ghana", stated that unlike the three estates of the realm - the Executive, the Judiciary and Legislator - the media was an amorphous and heterogeneous entity with no defined powers. He contended that in the advent of social media, access and usage of the media platform was not the exclusive domain of those who choose journalism as a profession but non-journalists and ordinary citizens. Mr Blay-Amihere said the role of the media had become crucial in the country's quest to consolidate democracy, thus the concerns of the Ghanaian public about the emerging phenomenon of abuse and hate speech in the media. "But the truth of the matter is that not all journalists or media houses are guilty of being purveyors and conveyors of insults and hate speech. Nobody can accuse the four state-owned media as part of the insults train," he acknowledged and added that while the state-owned media had their shortcomings, all the private media could be described as platforms for insults. On the issue of some journalists being influenced by partisan positions, Mr Blay-Amihere said there was nothing wrong with political journalism, adding that what had become a matter of concern was when journalists threw away ethics of the profession on the altar of partisanship. "Even when they seek to pursue a political agenda, which is their right, they must do so with every respect for decency, truthfulness, accuracy, honesty and integrity," he contended. The NMC chairman maintained that editors, talk show hosts and presenters who were the gate keepers of news and documentary must begin to exercise their professional responsibilities by denying those whose stock in trade was to insult on their platforms. Taking his turn, Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) of the University of Ghana, said a culture of tolerance involved a debate and dynamic exchanges of opinions and arguments on national issues whereby people could learn from others to benefit from public life. Political intolerance, on the contrary, was engendered by a willingness to restrict the rights of a disliked person or group based on their differing views, he observed. "It represents a threat to democracy, since it discriminates against and may even silent certain parts of the population," he said, adding that intolerance could either create a conventional culture and a closed society which narrowed citizens' perceptions of politics and shaped their behaviour to develop the "us and them" syndrome. Dr Antwi-Danso was of the belief that although Ghana was governed by a constitution, the spirit of constitutionalism was lacking, pointing out that indiscipline had permeated every fabric of society. He therefore called on the political leadership to serve as role models in their ways and deeds. A former Chief of Staff, Nana Ato Dadzie who chaired the function, urged leaders of political parties to recognise their responsibility to build bridges across party lines and to treat one another with courtesy and decorum. He deplored the tradition whereby a ruling party on the one hand tried to crush the opposition while the opposition on the other made it impossible for the governing party to rule, a situation he said amounted to undermining the multi party system.