Michael Creg Afful, Executive Director for Energy News Africa has advised journalists to verify information on social media before publishing energy sector stories.
Speaking with Oyerepa news reporter Bernard K Dadzie at a media training on energy sector reporting in Accra, Mr Afful emphasized the need for accuracy and fact-checking.
“Social media has its positive side, but it also spreads false information,” he warned. “As journalists, we must cross-check information to maintain credibility.”
He noted that many journalists lack knowledge about energy equipment and the sector’s significance in various industries.
He cautioned against spreading misinformation, citing instances where politicians share unverified information on social media, which journalists then publish without fact-checking.
“When we share a story online, it can spread quickly through social media platforms like WhatsApp. But if we later delete the story, it can damage our credibility. This is because readers may click on the link and find that the story is missing.”
Social media can be a valuable source of information, but it also has its limitations. Sometimes, information posted on social media may not be openly available for scrutiny or questioning.
However, social media posts can provide a hint or lead that can be pursued to gather credible information. “This is why we organized this program – to help reduce misinformation and ensure accurate reporting.”
The training aimed to promote accurate reporting and reduce misinformation in the energy sector. Mr Michael Afful encouraged journalists to always verify information through credible sources before publication.
Source: Bernard K Dadzie; Greater Accra Region
