Accra — As part of steps to enlighten media practitioners on the need to give fair and accurate reportage before, during and after the 2008 December general elections, the National Media Commission (NMC) has met with various stakeholders to review its Guidelines for Political Reporting

The Guidelines, which were first published in 1996, are meant to inform journalists and political parties on how to promote and facilitate free and responsible media to contribute to democratic governance in the country.

The 18-section document has provisions on how media practitioners are to collect and disseminate truthful and unbiased information on political parties and their activities to the public.

The guidelines remind media practitioners that they have the responsibility to provide the electorate with the needed information to enable them to assess the candidates and to make intelligent choices during the elections.

It also urge the media to subject the manifestos of the various political parties to intelligent and critical analysis for the electorate.

It enjoin media practitioners to avoid activities that may compromise their integrity in the discharge of their duties. "Media practitioners, irrespective of political affiliations shall be guided by the Code of Ethics of the Ghana Journalists Association," the document said.

The twelve- page document cautions the state-owned media that, under no circumstances should they endorse any candidate for political offices, adding, that personal preferences of individuals in the state-owned media for candidates or positions should not be permitted to spill over into the news reports.

The Chairman of the NMC, Mr.Paul Adu-Gyamfi, urged journalists to get copies of the guidelines to enhance their political reportage. He also advised them to exercise decorum in their reportage in order to avoid being hauled before the NMC over stories.

He said the reviewed guidelines would be made available to the public within two weeks.