Journalist urged to be committed to professional ethics

Accra, Sept. 4, GNA - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) completed the last “Media for Democracy Convention on the 2012 Election” in Takoradi last Thursday with a call for more diligence on the part of journalists to be committed to the ethics of their profession.

The Association, with support from the United States Embassy, held similar conventions in Kumasi and Sunyani in the three-Convention series focused on the theme: “Towards Free, Fair and Peaceful Elections: the Role of the Media.”

The three conventions were chaired respectively by Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Paramount Chief of the Esikadu Traditional Area in Sekondi, Professor James Hawkins-Ephraim, Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of Ghana, Fiapre, and Mr. I.K. Gyasi, a retired educationist.

The conventions sought to bring media practitioners and civil society leaders together to examine working relationships within their particular communities, promote dialogue, and, especially in light of the upcoming elections, identify best practices to encourage further cooperation between these key influencers.

Participants at the conventions acknowledged the importance of free and independent media in the functioning of any true democracy and agreed that Ghana should remain no exception.

However, they noted with concern, infractions by journalists and other media practitioners that were causing serious concern and in some cases troubles.

Participants discussed whether the National Media Commission should be further empowered, expressed disappointment at the long delay in the passage of a Broadcasting Bill, and noted that a Freedom of Information law would provide greater access to information and raise the level of transparency in governance to the benefit of all members of the public.

Participants recognized the vital need for civil society to inform, analyze and promote the voices of various sectors of society while performing a watchdog role over the performance of key players and institutions such as the Electoral Commission, political parties, the media and security services.

That way, they said, civil society would help to protect and defend democratic values, including tolerance, dialogue and public participation, which ultimately helps to promote peace and democracy.

Featured keynote speakers were Alison Bethel McKenzie, Executive Director of the International Press Institute, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Chairman of the National Media Commission, Kwesi Jonah of the Institute of Democratic Governance, Dr. Anthony Bonnah Koomson, a lecturer in Journalism and Communication at CUG, and Kwabena Abroampah-Mensah, of the Centre for Democracy and Development, Ghana.

GNA