The Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) has cautioned the media to be circumspect in reporting on the “simmering conflict” between Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Dormaahene Osaagyefo Agyeman Badu II.
In a press statement dated 19 January 2022, GJA charged media houses to avoid sensationalising the conflict.
“The sensational tilt and explosive angles which have characterised the coverage of the verbal exchanges should, therefore, give way to conflict sensitive reporting which will allow tempers to cool down and the issue to be contained or resolved in the long run,” the statement said.
“It is needless to state that the hyper- sensitive issue involving the two prominent chiefs can degenerate into a conflict of unthinkable proportions, if it not handled with the highest degree of circumspection, especially by the media,” Affail Monney, the GJA president said.
The two traditional rulers have been sparring over the past few days over the chieftaincy history between the two kingdoms.
The GJA wants media practitioners to “think through consequences or weigh fully the implications which will not escalate the tension nor compromise the peace and security in the two traditional areas, and by extension the entire nation.”
“The media must be part of the solution and not part of a chieftaincy clash of staggering magnitude,” the statement said.
Winifred Lartey
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