The second Media and Elections 2008 forum was held on the theme "Media Coverage of Presidential Primaries " Any Lessons for Elections 2008?" It brought together the campaign managers and communications managers of the various presidential candidates to give their perspectives on how the media covered their presidential primaries. They also shared their opinions on whether there were some lessons that could be learnt to ensure that the 2008 elections are held devoid of accusations of media bias. They accused some media houses and practitioners having their own political agendas and engaging in mudslinging and defamation of some key political figures.
They urged them to desist from such practice since they risk disturbing the peace Ghana is currently enjoying. Participants also urged politicians to desist from politics of personality attacks and focus on issues. They bemoaned the kinds of insulting words that are uttered on the air waves by politicians and their supporters against their opponents and urged them to stop so that the media can also focus on issues that politician raise which look at the development of the nation.
Ghana's democracy is said to be growing from strength to strength and this is evidenced by the growing confidence in the electoral system and the civic awareness that the media has been helping to create. The media which is often christened "the fourth estate of the realm" has seen enormous expansion and growth since the inception of the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution. The National Media Commission (NMC) is the constitutionally mandated body to regulate the media environment and see to the promotion of high journalistic standard and a free and vibrant media in Ghana. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation in partnership with the NMC initiated these Stakeholders Meetings to help the media share experiences and critically examine their role in ensuring that the December elections are held in a peaceful manner.
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