NMC urged to review editorial policies

Participants at a media dialogue in Accra, have called on the National Media Commission (NMC) to review the editorial policies of the media houses periodically.

This, they, said, would ensure that the policies are aligned with the Code of Ethics of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

They also suggested the need for the training of journalists in political reporting especially on election coverage by equipping them with the rudiments.

The participants made the call in a communiqué after a two- day dialogue session organised by the National Peace Council, (NPC), which is mandated to facilitate and develop mechanisms to prevent, manage, resolve and build sustainable peace in the country, with sponsorship from the European Union and UNDP.

According to the communiqué, post-election review of election reporting and coverage should be held within one year after elections, so that journalists and media houses could make very insightful and fresh inputs into the discussion.

It called for regular engagement between owners of media houses, editors and journalists to build capacity and enhance knowledge sharing.

“Journalists should exhibit professionalism, fairness, accuracy, circumspection and objectivity with regards to political reportage and media houses must insure journalists who report on political issues, especially during elections.”

According to the communiqué, in-house sanctions should be applied to erring journalists whilst those who uphold high journalistic standards in their reportage should be commended and rewarded.

It also called for a media monitoring desk to be established at the NPC to monitor media coverage and reportage, and appealed to journalists to avoid sensationalism by soliciting the views of professionals on discussions on national issues rather than resorting to political propaganda machinery.

The communiqué tasked the GJA and the NMC to collaborate with the Electoral Commission and facilitate accreditation for journalists during elections.

The communiqué called for the formation of a Network of Journalists to be “Journalists for Peace,” facilitated by the NPC.