Stop the Irresponsible Reporting on these indecent politicians

About three decades ago, a former Information Minister of the PNDC 1, Miss Joyce Aryee , dismissed the then Editor of the Peoples Daily Graphic, Kojo Yankah for practicing "Yellow Journalism" . The editors of the state media had been invited to witness the shooting of a PNDC Member, Joachim Amartey Kwei for his role in the abduction and murder of three high court judges and a military officer at the Teshie Firing range . In attendance was the then PNDC Chairman Jerry Rawlings and Kojo Yankah was dismissed for not been responsible in what he published by putting the chairman at the shooting range ,in addition to his conversation with Amartey Kwei before he was killed by shooting. This became the infamous "LAST WORDS OF AMARTEY KWEI"

Within the last few weeks, two important media personalities and a former president have used various platform to condemned the media for not playing their role as gatekeepers leading to irresponsible stories in the various newspapers and websites.

The chairman of the Ghana Media Commission , Ambassador Kabral Blay Amihere , called on editors and radio station managers not to allow serial callers to set the agenda for public discourse and discussion at a workshop for media owners and CEO on professional standards at Ho.

Mr Amihere who was once a director of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Owner of the Independent weekly newspaper among many publications is speaking from a point of an experience media man and as the chairman of NMC should be of concern to all

On the same platform, Mr Kwame Karikari, CEO of Media Foundation for West Africa, also did urge journalist not to all politicians to dictate to them what to write saying "your responsibilities are beyond their narrow interest. Mr Karikari was also one time the Director of the School of Mass Communications at the University of Ghana ,Legon.

Jerry Rawlings also speaking at the 3 freedom Power lectures said it was dangerous for the media to allow their ranks to be corrupted by power seeking politicians thereby abandoning their vital role of watch-dog. He added that unfortunately the media has also been caught in the corruption,monetary and material influence ,open bias leading to publication of falsehood and senseless stories.

These are deep concerns which needs the attention of the various Media owners,CEOs and editors ,if they need some credibility and sanity within the profession. Some have become known as the rented press.

Am completely lost as editors of some radio and print media should allow serious, irresponsible reporting from their reporters. There is a million angles to any story depending on the ideology of the media house but certain stories should NEVER see the light of the day no matter how much "soli" you receive .

A few examples will illustrate my concern, on October 26 the deputy minister of Information ,Samuel Ablakwa-Okudzeto is reported to have stated at an NDC Youth at Accra Poly, that he will use the NG 500.000 damages claim from NPP Kennedy Agyepong to construct toilets all over the country, that was an irresponsible statement from a minister of state and clear evidence of political immaturity, uncivil language and lack of manners just for what he said in public. What is the news worthiness of such a story

But my main concern was with the journalists who covered the function,this is because am very positive that was not the only thing, he said at event and the reporters could have taken a more sensible and news worthy angle that will equally make news or the headlines. I believe that journalism training teaches its students better than they are doing now .These crop of journalists should be able to feed the public with meaningful and good news stories and if a politician makes an irresponsible statement at a function which the reporter deem not news worthy ,another way is to interview the the speaker and make a story using the same occasion.

On October 30, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zone Board, KojoTwum Boafo , unintelligently cautioned Ghanaians public to be careful of the promises been throw at them by some politicians, because soon some of them will promise them FREE SEX. I doubt any person with proper up bringing ,civil ,respect and well mannered will make such unguarded statement in public.The same person announced to the whole Ghana, that he has quit the Presbbyterian Church for meddling in the politics of Ghana. Could someone convince me what was the significance of that story on the airwaves and what has been the role of Twum Boafo in the church to make his resignation news worthy.

As a trained journalist ,I worked under Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, C S Buabeng, Abigail Bonsu ,Breda Atta-Quayson and Albert Sam as News Editors and non will tolerate such an irresponsible story, let alone mention it to editorial conference to be discussed and today am a very proud person having worked under their guidance, even though am no longer practicing.

Am not in anyway picking up on any particular group of people or political group but trying to impress upon the current crop of reporters and news editors that they have an important role to play in bringing sanity ,respect and dignity into the profession. What is the use of the PRESS FREEDOM if its not used responsibly.

Within the week ,there was a tragedy at Melcom Supermarket at Achimota where lives were lost and others handicapped for the rest of thier lives the Campaign Manager of President John Mahama ,Elvis Afriyie Ankrah made inappropriate political comment in relations to the disaster regarding the proposed FREE EDUCATION being promised by Nana Akufo-Addo. Mr Ankrah who doubles as deputy minister for Local Government really exposed his ignorance and poor judgement towards the victims. Even though after a second thought has come public to apologize for his irresponsible and unguarded statement.The news media which carried the story should have thought of thought of the sensitive nature of what the politician was saying.

The General Overseer of International Central Gospel Church Mensa Otabil has made an appeal to President John Mahama to speak to his surrogates and affliates particularly the INFORMER Publishers who manipulated portions of his sermons to put him in public ridicule. Mensa Otabil spoke in straight language and those of the rented press are a big disgrace to the profession. Unfortunately these publishers get away with their irresponsibilities. make our airwaves and print media cleaner

I blame the radio and newspapers who carried the story because they should be mindful of the sensitive nature of the statement in the sense that its fresh,lives have been lost and therefore should not carry the story , even if its coming from the present of the country. Irresponsible statements should be treated with the contempt it deserve.

Reporters have become easy prey for politician who corrupt and influence their reporting because of monetary consideration and political bias. There are many stories and newspapers I do not read because of their style and manner the stories are started. The Ghanaian news stand has become full of personality attacks instead of disseminating and discussing issues of national concern.Its a shame and disappointing for the Ghanaian media to degenerate to this level. We are trained with standards and ethics which we have thrown to the wind. Recently two journalists, one from the Joyfm Sports Department and another an event consultant," robbed" Jones Attuquayefio of his portion of a charity match played in his honor. Its a shame that to this day the two journalists involved are walking the street of Accra as free men. Our greed for money is seriously influencing our writing into spreading falsehood and irresponsible stories from all manner of people with no self respect.

There was a period in Ghana political history when Pollster Ben Ephson, Kweku Baako, Kwesi Pratt, former Hearts of Oak chairman ,were thrown in jail for writing what was on their mind and of national importance and now that laws have been enacted for press freedom we are abusing the freedom which other journalist have sacrificed everything for it. I believe with all my heart that we as journalists should be responsible in what we put in the public domain for consumption and not just the irresponsible statement by some of our ill-matured so call politicians with no substance. Our airwaves are so polluted with all sorts of personalities who are politically immature and disrespectful to the decent people of the country.

I will therefore ask the media owners , CEOs and journalists to know that their responsibilities are beyond the narrow and selfish interest of these politician who speak before they think of what they said in public. We as journalist should not allow ranks to be corrupt and influence by these irresponsible loose talkers.