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Ahead of this year’s election, a number of civil society organisations including the traditional leaders, religious bodies among many others have constantly kept reminding us of the need to protect the nation’s peace.

At every opportunity, opinion leaders in their quest to ensure that the nation’s peace is not thrown out of gear try to urge political leaders to educate their supporters to conduct themselves their activities devoid of creating anarchy in the country.

The call by all leaders in society to especially political leaders and party activists is to ensure that the nation continues to enjoy its peace and tranquility before, during and after the December7 general election.
The opinion leaders are of the view that any attempt to destabilize the nation’s peace is tantamount to retrogressing the nation’s developmental progress.
Just last week, the National Peace Council (NPC) has called on journalists to go the extra mile to make sure that the truth is never sacrificed under any circumstance for political expediency.

Mr. Francis Azuimah, the Executive Secretary of the council, said journalists should avoid indiscretion – anything unethical, likely to inflame passion and throw the country into turmoil as it inched closer to the presidential and parliamentary elections.

“We have had enough of electoral violence on the African continent and you owe it a duty to this nation to be professional and truthful in the discharge of your duties.”

The NPC boss made this observation at a two-day workshop for the media in Kumasi where he reminded them about the need to be accurate, factual and balanced in their reports. Mr. Azuimah noted that journalist had critical roles to play to keep the nation united and calm.

The General Telegraph shares the concerns expressed by the National Peace Council and will urge the media to adhere to the calls. To us, this clarion call by the NPC is not only accurate but also timely. This is because although many are calling for peace before, during and after the elections, it appears the media as one of the major stakeholders are being left unattended to.

Indeed as the nation goes to the polls to elect the next president and 275 legislators, it’s prudent that apart from allowing civility to prevail among the political parties, the media practitioners also need to report issues devoid of partisanship. It is our view that Journalists, radio commentators, presenters and others who play active roles in disseminating news to ensure that stories are accurately reported.

Unfair reporting with exaggerated news has the tendency to ignite tension and if not carefully resolved could lead to troubles for the nation. The General Telegraph therefore commends the NPC for drawing the attention of the journalists to the dangers pose in reporting half- truths.

We believe that journalist should as matter of national interest adhere to the calls of the NPC and ensure that the right things are done. Even though it is undeniable fact that some journalists write only for a political party, there is nothing wrong with that except that it must be done with circumspection.

We believe that the earlier the owners of the radio, TV and newspapers organize seminars for their staff to equip them with the requisite skills to report fairly, the better it would be for the nation.