The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is collaborating with the media in West Africa to establish minimum standards for media practice in conflict prevention, deepening democracy and good governance, and promoting interaction and cooperation among journalists and media practitioners in the sub-region.

To this end the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the ECOWAS Commission last Thursday organized a regional meeting on Media, Conflict and Democracy for captains in the media industry in West Africa.

As part of the learning process the media was apprised on the provisions of Sections 65 and 66 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty and Article 37 of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which place on the media the onerous task of promoting the attainment of the objectives of the community and facilitate exchange of information in order to strengthen cooperation between national press agencies and developing linkages between them.

Specifically, the meeting was to formulate regional norms and standards for the purposes of promoting a hate-free media practice and deepening of accountable governance the region.

In addition the gathering, according to Dr. Musah Fataw, Director, Political Affairs, ECOWAS, was to take stock of the role of the media in nation building and in the establishment of a regional identity.

He described the media as a strategic institution and critical tool for the sensitization, mobilization and monitoring democratic developments. Thus, the media, he said, has to remain vigilant to guard against insensitive journalism, propaganda and hate speech.

He cited instances where the media have exacerbated conflicts in some countries in the sub-region rather than becoming a partner in creating an ECOWAS of peace and stability.

According to Dr. Fataw, the objectives to transform ECOWAS to that of the ?ECOWAS of People? would be difficult to achieve in the year 2020 if the media is not sufficiently involved in the process.

?When there is peace and stability one can achieve the objectives of ECOWAS. The media which is often referred to as the fourth estate of the realm has an important role in shaping democracy.?

He added, however, that ECOWAS has been able to sustain and consolidate its achievements in the areas of peace and security due to the unflinching support of the media and that this support has to be maintained as the sub-region enters a more critical stage in its peacemaking processes.

In few cases the media has been accused of unethical and unprofessional conducts in the ways conflicts are reported in member states, so much so that some governments have put in place measures to gag media practitioners.

The Minister for Communication, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, observed that although zero tolerance for unconstitutional rule has become the norm, the media themselves can endanger conflict if they practice in an irresponsible manner rather than avoiding and preventing conflict through accurate reportage while exercising circumspection. He challenged media practitioners to join in demonstrating to the rest of the world that democracy can work in the region.

?I want to admonish the media to be circumspect in reporting sensitive issues. Unfair and unreasonable democratic concept can itself produce conflict. We must all commit to the establishment of a free and democratic society.?

Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister for Information, said there was need for member states to jointly share the responsibility with both the ECOWAS Commission and media practitioners for the ownership of the norms and practices for the media that would emanate from the meeting.

He hoped the document would complement existing laws which would empower the media and provide the frameworks for other stakeholders to check media excesses in their respective countries where such frameworks.

?The process of evolving a responsible media sector in the region will not be successful without the support of member states. Therefore, on behalf of the president of the republic, I promise the support of the government of the republic of Ghana for the implementation of whatever outcomes that may emanate from the meeting.?