Media General launches Election Command Centre; promises “unsurpassed” professional coverage

Ghana’s leading media conglomerate, Media General has launched its Election Command Centre to provide trusted, reliable and credible coverage of the forthcoming 2020 general elections across radio, TV and online.

Media General, operators of TV3 Network Ltd, Onua TV, MG Radio (3FM, Onua FM, Connect FM and Akoma FM), MG Digital (3news.com) and Adesa Productions Ltd, promised stakeholders that its coverage of the elections would be guided by its editorial policy, hinged on truth, impartiality and accuracy, social responsibility, public interest and the law.

The Election Command Centre was launched by the Group Chief Executive Officer of Media General, Mrs. Beatrice Agyemang Abbey. The launch was attended by politicians, religious leaders, civil society groups and people from different walks of life as well as management of Media General.

Acting General Manager for News at TV3, Mr. Abraham Asare, in his welcome address, said the launch indicates the readiness of Media General group to bring to viewers, listeners and readers, the news as it happens with unbiased reportage.

He recalled that in 2016, TV3 was named the most watched TV station on election day by international research organization Geopoll.

Geopoll data also show that on daily basis, an average of more than 3,000,000 persons watch TV3 news bulletins daily, he pointed out.

“Media General news occupies a very important position in the media space. For us therefore, there’s no room to disappoint our audiences.

“To us, the stakes are very high, and we are committed to ensuring that mistakes are minimal, as we bring confidence and hope to our people, and not despair,” Mr. Asare stressed.

He said the Media General Group is fully aware of the devastations that unprofessional journalistic pieces have brought to nations in some parts of the world.

“And we know, that as a leading media company in Ghana, we cannot afford to go the slippery path of others.

“This is why we have chosen the theme I Pledge to Peace for our coverage of this year’s elections.”

Mr. Abraham Asare was emphatic that, “It is an ingrained commitment by the individual journalist, editor, presenter and producer and those we engage to be guided by the guidelines in Media General’s Editorial Policy for the ultimate aim to ensure that our dedication to professionalism is unsurpassed.”

He added, “We would like to assure our viewers, listeners and readers of an improved coverage as we churn out more captivating content across all platforms: TV3, Onua FM, 3FM, Onua FM, Connect FM in Tarkoradi, Akoma FM in Kumasi, and www.3news.com.”

He also assured political parties that the news team is ready to give fair coverage to all.

He noted that the group has developed various affordable packages for all political parties, their parliamentary candidates and independent candidates to promote their activities and propagate their messages beyond just the basic coverage of their campaign activities.

General Manager for MG Radio and MG Digital, Mr. Francis Doku, outlined activities put together by Media General as part of its coverage of the general elections and to ensure a peaceful exercise.

He noted that even though Ghana has not been ravaged by a post-election conflict before, it has recorded pockets of violence in some parts of the country.

“In spite of this we Ghanaians convince ourselves to be a peace-loving people and we at Media General want to help in our small way to preserve the peace we have. It is in view of this that we are leading a campaign to call on our citizens to pledge to maintain the peace and stability in the country before, during and after the upcoming general elections.”

Media General is subsequently launching the #ipledgetopeace campaign, he said, and asked all and sundry to pledge to peace.

“To cement our commitment to this cause, we have planned peace walks across the country dubbed United Ghana Walk and a big concert dubbed United Ghana Concert to be staged in partnership with all relevant stakeholders.”

The gathering was also addressed by Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide; a representative of the National Peace Council, Rev Dr Nii Amoo Darko; Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh; and President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr. Affail Monney as well as a commitment to peace message from politicians and some statesmen via video.

By Isaac Essel | 3news.com | Ghana