Journalists asked to get their facts right

Assistant State Attorney, Esi Dentaa Yankah is asking journalists to get their facts right especially when they uncover wrongdoing and expect the state to prosecute alleged perpetrators.

She explained though it is not the job of a journalist to undertake investigations meant for state institutions such as police, information uncovered by journalists could be used by state prosecutors often after additional investigations.

According to Ms Yankah, the state prosecutors cannot use information provided in an investigative piece if the basic facts are wrong.

She gave the advice at a panel discussion on the law, ethics and undercover journalism at a workshop on investigative journalism for practitioners in Ghana and the West Africa.

The workshop, which was under the theme “Investigative Journalism: From Exposure to Punitive Action” was organized by Tiger Eye Media and the Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA).

Other panelists included renowned investigative journalist and Chief Executive Officer of Tiger Eye Media, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo from University of Ghana’s Department of Communication, and William Nyarko, Executive Director of ACILA.

According to the Assistant State Attorney, not all information uncovered and published by a journalist can be used by the prosecution or is admissible in court.

She says such information may be affected by a break in the chain of custody, and a violation of the privacy rights of the person whom the investigation targeted.

On his part, Anas Aremeyaw explained that he utilizes the techniques of undercover investigation and chooses that method of investigation only when all straightforward means of gathering the information fails.

He said he is mindful of the code of conduct of the journalism profession which he adheres to in addition to being held to international standards of the BBC and Aljazeera when he undertakes an assignment for them. However, he explained that he is a hybrid and does not subscribe to the definition of journalism by people who do not live in his peculiar environment, adding that he adopts techniques that get results and collaborates with state institutions when needed.

On Anas’ use of collaboration with state agencies, Professor Gadzekpo noted that although an investigative journalist seeks to use collaboration to ensure that agencies of state pursue wrongdoing exposed by the journalist to bring change, it also raises the issue about independence of investigative journalists.

She explained that journalists are to be independent from agencies of state and other private influences, therefore when a journalist collaborates with agencies of state it could compromise the independence of the journalist.

Mr. Nyarko who greed with Professor Gadzekpo said a distinction should be placed between undercover journalism or investigative journalism and private investigation.