Let’s unite to combat the proliferation of false information – The Ghana Report Chief Executive Rashida Saani

The maiden edition of The Ghana Report Summit concluded successfully, with a clarion call by the convenor, Rashida Saani, to eradicate all forms of false information from Ghana’s media landscape.

Ahead of the crucial 2024 general elections, the Chief Executive of The Ghana Report urges the public to reaffirm their commitment to the principles that underpin the nation’s democracy.

Amid a rapid internet connectivity explosion and unprecedented technological advancements, unforeseen loopholes have provided fertile grounds for misinformation and disinformation.

With proactive steps to avert the destructive consequences, Madam Rashida Saani has admonished the public to “work together to protect free speech while ensuring the quality and integrity of the information we share.”

“As we approach the December elections, it is imperative that citizens have access to reliable information to make informed decisions,” she stressed in her speech at The Ghana Report Summit held at the Kempinski Hotel, Accra, on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

She underlined the dangers of fake news ahead of the make-or-break polls, which birthed The Ghana Report Summit to proffer solutions for a peaceful process.

Themed “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation—Elections 2024”, the summit was the platform for comprehensive strategies to deal with the rise in fake news.

“By equipping journalists with the skills to combat misinformation and leveraging technology to detect and prevent the spread of fake news, we are safeguarding the integrity of our democratic processes and ensuring that truth prevails in the public discourse,” the Chief Executive Officer of I-ZAR Group added.

Organized 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 unravelled the tactics, exposed the dangers, and recommended best international practices on information dissemination, especially on social media.

“The Ghana Report stands firmly in its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity. We are resolute in our mission to be a trusted source of news and information for the people of Ghana,” she highlighted.

“The Ghana Report has implemented a multi-faceted approach to counter the growing menace of fake news. We have established a dedicated fact-checking team tasked with scrutinizing information and verifying facts before publication. This team works tirelessly to ensure that only verified information reaches our audience, thereby maintaining the credibility and trust that we have built over the years.”

She outlined her vision of transforming Ghana’s media landscape with nationwide training workshops for journalists designed to empower practitioners with the tools and knowledge needed to identify, combat, and prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

By enhancing the skills of information gatekeepers, the astute entrepreneur and strategic communication consultant aims to fortify the media landscape against the corrosive effects of fake news.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to foster a culture of critical thinking and informed information consumption among the public.

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Madam Rashida Saani further outlined partnerships with technology giants in the quest to combat misinformation.

The objective is to create tools deployed using artificial intelligence to analyze patterns and identify potential fake news to swiftly deal with the spread of false news.

The Ghana Report is also actively engaging with social media platforms to ensure that they take responsibility for the content shared on their sites.

The media giant is also advocating for stronger policies and measures to curb the dissemination of false information online to create a safer and more reliable digital environment for all Ghanaians.

The Ghana Report Summit brought together top-notch experts, including policymakers, technologists, civil society organizations, thought leaders, and media professionals, to delve into comprehensive strategies to combat the menacing problems with tentacles of propaganda, deepfake, and conspiracy theories in election periods.

H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was the special guest at The Ghana Report Summit, hosted by His Royal Majesty Ga Mantse Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.

The speakers included the National Security Minister, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah; former National Security Coordinator, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare; Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy; and Information Minister, Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar.

Others were the Regional Manager of Csquared West Africa, Estelle Akofio-Sowah; former president of GJA, Roland Affail Monney; and the founder of Global Media Alliance Ambassador Edward Boateng; IT manager, National Signals Bureau, John Tandoh; CEO of KomsKraft Consult, Gayheart Mensah; and CEO of PopOut Digital Solutions, Maximus Ametorgoh.

In attendance were guests from various diplomatic missions, government officials, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, religious bodies, and media organizations.