Journalists urged to uphold accuracy amid rising misinformation

Journalists must uphold the core principles of responsible reporting by ensuring accuracy, fairness, and truth, especially as misinformation and disinformation increasingly threaten national and global economies. This call to action came from Bernard Otabil, Director of Communications at the Bank of Ghana, during a two-day media capacity-building workshop.

“

Journalists have been urged to uphold the principles of responsible journalism by ensuring accuracy, fairness and truth in their reportage, as misinformation and disinformation continue to pose serious threats to both national and global economies.

Otabil highlighted the media's significant influence on public perception of economic matters and national policies. He explained that journalists have the power to translate complex economic data into understandable narratives, emphasizing that statistics alone do not capture the full picture. Behind every economic figure, he noted, is a human story – a farmer, a manufacturer, a trader, or a startup owner. The media's responsibility, therefore, is to bring these human-centered stories to light and explain how policy decisions impact everyday lives, including access to credit, business costs, and employment.

“

statistics alone could not tell the full story, stressing that behind every economic figure was a human being, a farmer in Techiman, a manufacturer in Tema, a trader in Kejetia, or a start-up owner in Accra.

He urged journalists to move beyond superficial reporting and become strategic partners in national development. This involves simplifying complex policies, critically analyzing data, and highlighting opportunities in key sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and exports, alongside reporting challenges. Otabil cautioned that the proliferation of fake news can damage markets, negatively affect a country's credit rating, and lead to flawed economic decision-making.

“

it was the responsibility of the media to bring such human-centred stories to life and explain how policy decisions, including changes in the monetary policy rate, affected access to credit, cost of doing business and employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.

He provided an example of spare parts dealers who rely on foreign exchange, noting that they could suffer significant losses if they act on inaccurate information regarding exchange rates. Otabil stressed the duty of journalists to ensure their reports are factual, especially in an era of rapid information spread, as corrections often fail to reach the same audience, leaving lasting misleading impressions that can even jeopardize national security. He concluded by warning that misinformation is projected to have a substantial impact on the global economy in the coming years, potentially influencing investors and fund managers.

“

country needed media practitioners who could simplify complex policies, fairly interrogate data, and highlight opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and exports, in addition to reporting challenges.