Deputy Speaker cautions journalists

The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei-Wusu, has warned journalists to desist from publishing false reports.

He stressed the need for journalists to always publish and broadcast real facts on their networks to help avert chaos in the country.

Making reference to the recent Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, he said a lot of lies published by journalists.

According to the deputy speaker, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, false reports by journalists can cause commotion in the country.

“Journalists and politicians should not replace facts with blatant lies whenever they are talking in the media.

“Some journalists reported people’s opinions instead of real facts during the recent by-election.

“I will therefore entreat journalists to observe things and cross-check their facts before they broadcast or publish them.

Mr. Osei-Wusu, who was speaking on radio in Kumasi, said there was no violence at polling stations during the by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.

“The report of the Electoral Commission (EC) indicated that there was no violent or gunshot at any of the polling stations.

“The gunshots occurred in the house of one of the candidates, which is close to one of the polling stations.

“But surprisingly, some journalists reported that there were violence and gunshots during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.”

According to him, the false reports of some journalists created unnecessary tension, which affected voter turnout.

Mr. Osei-Wusu also refuted claims by the Minority that Parliament would not recognize Lydia Alhassan as MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.

He said since the EC has confirmed Lydia Alhassan as winner of the polls in the constituency, nobody can stop her from carrying out her duties as MP.”

Mr. Osei-Wusu described the minority’s threat as mere political talk, saying “Lydia Alhassan will be sworn in as MP.”