By Our Democracy News GH
Chief Information Officer of Parliament, Dr Kate Addo, has cautioned members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) against misinformation in parliamentary reporting, warning that inaccurate coverage could undermine public trust in both Parliament and the media.
She urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, fairness, context and professional ethics over attractive visuals and the speed of digital publication, stressing that technology must support factual reporting rather than compromise it.
Dr Addo gave the warning at a workshop organised for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps in Accra on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
“New tools increase your power to inform. They also increase the risk of confusion,” she said, highlighting the growing risks associated with social media and modern information technologies.
She cautioned that misquoting a Member of Parliament, misinterpreting figures or publishing images without proper context could mislead the public and damage the credibility of both institutions.
“A misquoted member, a misread figure, or an image taken out of context can mislead the public and damage trust, not only in Parliament but in the media itself,” she warned.
Dr Addo urged parliamentary journalists to verify information whenever they were uncertain and consult official parliamentary records and other reliable sources before publishing their reports.
She also emphasised that parliamentary reporting goes beyond disseminating information, explaining that journalists have a responsibility to educate citizens about the workings of Parliament and their rights and obligations under the law.
According to her, a sound understanding of legislative procedures is essential for accurate reporting, particularly when covering the introduction of bills, committee consideration, parliamentary debates, passage of legislation and presidential assent.
She encouraged members of the Press Corps to familiarise themselves with Parliament’s Standing Orders and pay greater attention to committee proceedings, which often play a significant role in shaping legislation but receive limited media coverage.
“Let us uphold the ethics of our journalistic training that emphasise good reporting, accuracy, fairness, context, and respect for the facts,” she said.
“When you debate proceedings, people or figures, let the facts lead and let technology serve them,” she added.
Dr Addo further stressed the importance of responsible journalism to democratic governance, noting that accurate and accessible information enables citizens to better understand the work of Parliament.
“A well-informed press makes for a well-informed public. And a well-informed public makes for a stronger democracy,” she said.
The Chief Information Officer also acknowledged the operational challenges confronting parliamentary journalists, including inadequate equipment for live reporting and monitoring, limited workspace and difficulties covering parliamentary proceedings that extend late into the night.
She said she continued to raise these concerns with the Clerk to Parliament and other management officials in the hope of addressing the challenges.
“As Head of the Division and a member of the Management Board, I continue to bring these issues to the attention of the Clerk and my colleagues with the hope of eradicating them,” she stated.
Dr Addo commended the Media Relations Department for organising the workshop and thanked the Clerk for supporting efforts to strengthen parliamentary information services and media relations.
She also praised members of the Parliamentary Press Corps for their dedication, noting that their work had helped bring Parliament closer to the public since the beginning of Ghana’s Fourth Republic in January 1993.
Dr Addo pledged continued support for parliamentary journalists through reliable public affairs services, proper records management, quality publishing and secure information technology systems.
“My ultimate goal is that accurate information about the work of Parliament should reach the public in a form that is timely, accessible, and easy to follow,” she said.
ENDS
