They say “bad news sells” in the media, but in the case of Ghana’s 2024 elections, the price of that sale could be too costly. With just one day to go, over 18 million registered voters will take to the polls, and the media will undoubtedly be buzzing with updates: who’s winning, who’s losing, and who’s scrambling to pick up the pieces. The excitement in the air signals a race unlike any before, and the stakes could not be higher. The reality of the present moment is that
Ghana is marked by a nation divided by two formidable flag bearers: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP, a current vice president of the ruling party, NPP, and John Dramani Mahama, a
former president from the NDC. A digitized economy, or a 24-hour economy; the future of Ghana hangs in the balance.
In elections of this magnitude, the media plays a pivotal role. It can either calm the waters or stir the pot, setting the tone for tension or harmony. As Dr. Bawumia often champions the idea of a “digitized Ghana,” the country finds itself increasingly entangled in a web of misinformation, from health and business news to education and politics, an issue that looms ahead of the 2024 elections. It is more risky for the public’s understanding of crucial events and issues during this vital moment in Ghana’s democratic process.
For years, Ghanaians have turned to traditional media outlets—television and radio—when seeking election updates. But now, with the rise of digital platforms, the narrative is shifting. Social media is quickly becoming the primary source of election coverage, giving rise to both excitement and concern.
A recent poll conducted among Ghanaian citizens throws more light on these changing dynamics. According to the findings, 65% of respondents said they would rely on TV stations for election updates, while 27% preferred to get their information from social media. A small percentage, just over 2%, chose news websites as their main source. This poll reflects not only the trust Ghanaians still place in traditional media but also the peculiar timing of the elections being held on a Saturday, a day when many are free to tune in. Speaking to some traders on the streets, more than half said they would be relying on radio for updates, highlighting the medium’s continued relevance for busy citizens again on a weekend.
Yet, with this growing reliance on digital and traditional platforms, the risk of misinformation becomes more pronounced. The rapid speed at which news spreads, whether true or false, has created an environment ripe for confusion. Misinformation often thrives in the spaces of ignorance, scarce details, and the rush to break the story first. In the world of elections, where facts can be distorted or exaggerated, trust in reliable sources is paramount. The survey also showed that people with more flexible schedules, such as students and older citizens, tend to turn to TV for in-depth coverage, while those with more pressing daily responsibilities often rely on the quicker, more accessible format of radio.
According to a 2020 report on Ghana’s elections from Dubawa, an African media agency, the Ghanaian media was largely ethical in their reportage. However, “there are also concerns about the partisan bias of news reportage, the use of intemperate language, as well as opinion-laced journalism. Although stories were balanced in terms of sources, there was a large number of
them that were single sources. Journalists from certain media houses also had issues with non-sourced stories; this is worth noting. Since election coverage is within the realm of political journalism, the report also sought to unearth how committed articles were to election standards. The stories were largely professional, although as much as 15.6% of them were sensational.
This is worrying considering how even the least amount of sensationalism could disturb the peace and security of the nation. Organizations like the Media Foundation for West Africa, Dubawa, have organized various sessions on misinformation and fact-checking in Ghana’s electoral processes, training many Ghanaian journalists across Ghana.
For radio, the major concerns lie with language barriers in interpreting figures and truth. Radio stations in Ghana are known for exaggeration and repetition of content that heavily misinforms or sways listeners from the truth, especially local language-speaking radio stations. It is interesting to note that the digital media also relies heavily on the citizens to report the news. This is dangerous to information validation.
Social media thrives on who gets the news first, the speed of sharing, and getting more engagement. Influencers such as Kalyjay and Kwadwo Sheldon, with over a million followers, have announced 24-hour streaming on their social media platforms solely on the elections. As influencers, this is a move to gain more traction and also engage the views of their followers on their platforms.
However, in a bid to entertain and draw eyeballs, mis/disinformation is likely to be consistent through and through. Who tells what is happening in a constituency first, or who is winning in a stronghold of a party, gets the numbers. From the Electoral Commission to polling agents to reporters on the ground to TV presenters and radio hosts to social media influencers, it is imperative to fact-check information that is reported and do away with sensationalism and biases in election reporting. According to UNESCO’s LASP survey, 87% of respondents in a global survey expressed concerns that disinformation could influence elections in their countries, with 47% being “very concerned.”
It is necessary to understand that the far-reaching consequences of misinformation involve coups, wars, citizen conflicts, violence, and the like. In an election season, and for that matter a heated one, the onus lies on every citizen and stakeholder to be responsible for sharing the information and verifying the source of information. The speed of sharing and traction cannot be compared to the consequences of a voter/polling agent being misinformed on a loss/rigging of his party. Propelling bad or fake“ news, propelling engagements, and propelling eyeballs are dangerous for Ghana’s election and democracy.
The author of this piece is Esther Agyapong. She is a journalist and a writer.
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