A recent research by the Center for Media Analysis (CMA) has revealed that the Chair of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC), Charlotte Osei, is highly politically bias.
According to the research, both the institution and individual set a precedent, which portrayed the chairperson highly mistrusted in the media to the public.
Chief Media Analyst at CMA Dr. Messan Mawugbe has observed that political parties and their representatives framed her highly negative.
CMA is of the view that unnecessary framing of institutions and individuals could act as a trigger for socio-political conflict in Ghana and should be avoided.
The research was based on scientific tracking of news content of the media – online and print – from June, 2015 to December 2017.
Mrs Osei recorded 0 per cent for non-political bias, 7 per cent for non-sexual inducement, 14 per cent for competence, 22 per cent for no corruptible character and 57 per cent for public trustworthy.
She also scored 22 per cent for incompetence, 21 per cent for public mistrust, 20 for sexual inducement and 18 per cent for corruptible character.
The framing thematic categories analyzed, however, reveal the extent at which the EC chairperson was negatively portrayed in the media, which, CMA said, could dent her integrity, the office she holds and the nation as whole.
The research also revealed that some framers portrayed her positively in the media, which cannot outweigh the negative frames she recorded.
Prior to the 2016 general elections, Mrs Osei’s credibility to conduct free and fair elections became a major issue of concern to some Ghanaians.
The research in its concluding part, however, urged individuals and institutions to be mindful of how they use the media to set certain framing precedents about politically appointed leaders to preserve the integrity of the office they hold and the nation as a whole.
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