Ghana approaches a critical election in December 2024, facing a daunting battle against the evolving spread of misinformation and disinformation aided by unprecedented technological advancements.
False information could disrupt Ghana’s democratic processes, sow discord among citizens, and undermine the credibility of the entire electoral system in the upcoming polls.
Misleading and false narratives have far-reaching consequences, hence a call to action by The Ghana Report to keep public discourse sanitized ahead of the “make-or-break” upcoming elections in a maiden edition of The Ghana Report Summit.
Themed: “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024”, the summit, will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, Accra, with H. E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the special guest.
The Ghana Report Summit will host top-notch experts, including policymakers, technologists, civil society organisations, thought leaders and media professionals, to delve into comprehensive strategies to combat the menacing problems associated with information circulation in modern digital ecosystems during heightened periods of elections.
The explosion of Internet connectivity, the proliferation of social media platforms that serve as conduits for disinformation spreaders, and technological advancements have provided avenues for disseminating false news, negatively affecting public opinions and judgements.
These could escalate into chaos, disaffection, violence, and widespread electoral integrity issues that affect the peace and stability of the nation.
For this reason, filtering out false information without infringing upon freedom of speech, fact-checking initiatives, and ways to verify false claims will take centre stage at The Ghana Report Summit.
With a comprehensive and diverse list of participants, including direct players in the election process, The Ghana Report Summit shall be the ultimate intersection of technology, communication, and democracy for a well-informed public driven by facts ahead of the polls.
Organised by The Ghana Report, a subsidiary of I-ZAR Group and the 2019 Best News Portal of the Year/Best Portal in Corporate Social Responsibilities at the 25th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, The Ghana Report Summit will unravel the tactics, expose dangers, and recommend best practices on information dissemination, especially on social media.
Commenting on the event, Chief Executive of The Ghana Report, Rashida Saani, said: “We recognise the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach in combating misinformation and disinformation. As Ghana gears up for the 2024 general elections, it is crucial to address false narratives that pose significant threats to a fair democratic process. Ultimately, I hope that The Ghana Report Summit will empower Ghanaians to have a more transparent electoral process that safeguards their right to accurate information necessary for making informed choices at the ballot box”.
For more information, please visit summit.theghanareport.com or the social media pages of The Ghana Report.
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