Private Legal Practitioner Cautions Journalists, Politicians To Be Wary Of ‘Fake News’
Chief Executive officer of Asaase Radio, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, has strongly cautioned the media fraternity and Politicians to desist from the spread of fake news as the country heads towards to general elections.
In an unscheduled visit to the studios of Wontumi Radio/TV, on Friday, the CEO for Asaase Radio who is a veteran journalist and lawyer said that, fake news has in recent times been moved onto a different level unlike the previous years.
According to him, the stiff competition existing between the media organizations with respect to who to come out first with the hot or breaking news has become so keen that 9 out of 10 journalists get carried away by putting out fake news.
Mr Otchere-Darko howeve,r cautioned media practitioners that , “when you rush to publish your story without cross checking, there is the likelihood that you’d get it all wrong by compromising on accuracy.”.
“Bad news travel s faster than good news.” He noted
Mr. Otchere Darko insinuated that, for the General Seecretary of the biggest opposition party, NDC Johnson Asiedu Nketiah to allege that, government has distributed 4000 weapons and military uniforms to vigilante groups which the media picked without probing into the matter is most unfortunate. .
“For a whole General Secretary of a big political party who has ruled the country for a number of years that has given him an experience unmatched in the political space to peddle such falsehood is unthinkable.” He wondered
The active and prominent Member of the NPP said that, he doesn’t understand why the security operatives have so far not considered it appropriate to question the NDC General Secretary to provide evidence or proof to support the authenticity or otherwise of his allegation; “in otherwise, to find out whether it’s simply a figment of General Mosquito’s imagination which should be wished away.This beats my imagination.”
He further noted that “National security ought to show interest in the weird accusation by probing it and if found to be true they take the necessary action against whoever is ,or are, the culprits”.
Mr. Otchere Darko advised that, Ghanaians have to be vigilant because anytime any such derogatory comments come from Asiedu Nketiah, then it could be an indication that “the NDC as an opposition party, is preparing the ground to launch something sinister.”
