Police set up National Election Security Taskforce Press Briefing Centre to address misinformation

According to the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, one concern to the Police Service is information, and the concern becomes very negative when it is misinformation and disinformation.

Addressing a meeting with senior journalists and Editors in Accra, the IGP encouraged the media to work together with the police during the election period so that misinformation and disinformation would have no role in the democratic exercise.

“It is for that reason that we are setting up National Election Security Taskforce Press Briefing Centre. A tent air-conditioned with the capacity to take an average of 100 reporters. You can come, and we will serve you coffee and tea and, of course, biscuits and relax. You can be with us 24/7, and we will be sharing the information with the speed of light.

“Something has happened; it has come to our attention; we are dealing with it, and we will come and give you more details. And if you have more details to give us, you bring it to our attention, and we will crosscheck, then we put it out there. Instantly, every now and then, there will be somebody there to speak,” the IGP stated.

He added that this is a novelty as the people who will be speaking will be doing so in seven languages to reach a large number of the citizens to understand the issues.

The IGP urged the media to guard against rushing to put out information that has not been verified.

“What is the plea we want from you? As you help us fight misinformation, please, if you hear something, put your patriotic, nationalistic hat on first so that you will assess it to say if it is the truth, and I put it out there, no problem. But if I am not sure of it and it is hearsay, please let’s be a little patient. Check with us, check with other institutions or stakeholders who have further and better particulars on it so that we can be very sure before we put it out there.”