Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament has urged journalists to uphold integrity ahead of the December general election. He said journalists played significant roles in maintaining democratic values, adding as the nation approached the general election, it was crucial that they remained poised to disseminate information to the public with high integrity. He said this in a speech read on his behalf at the Northern Region Ghana Journalists Association Awards night, held in Tamale the weekend. The Awards night was to recognise and celebrate hardworking journalists in the Northern, North East and Savannah Regions, and was on the theme: 'Ensuring Violence-Free Elections: The Role of the Media'. Some dignitaries, who graced the event, were Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister for Finance, Mr Albert Dwumfour, GJA President, Madam Kate Addo, a representative of the Speaker of Parliament, NGO executive, representatives of corporate bodies amongst others. Speaker Bagbin stated that the media wielded a significant impact on shaping the nation's future and commended journalists for their roles in informing members of the public while reinforcing the principles of democracy. He cautioned against sensationalism and misinformation particularly as the country prepared to go to the polls in December and called for adherence to ethics of the journalism profession. While addressing the theme of the occasion, the Speaker emphasised the need for a balanced approach in media coverage, especially in the context of keenly contested elections. Speaker Bagbin called on journalists to be vigilant and responsible in their reportage, urging them to work collaboratively with civil society organisations to combat threats and ensure that media coverage remained credible and impartial. He congratulated award winners, commending their dedication to excellence in journalism, and encouraged all media professionals to continue striving for the highest standards. Source: Ghana News Agency