NMC asks journalists to avoid emotional tinges on issues

By Sepenyo Dzokoto, GNA
Ho, May 24, GNA - Mr Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Chairman of National Media Commission, (NMC), has urged journalists to avoid putting emotional tinges on issues.

He said the stress should be on 'what people say and not what they are'.

Mr Gyan-Apenteng was speaking on Monday in Ho at the launch of the NMC Election Project for Peaceful Elections.

The project, sponsored by Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness, 'STAR-Ghana,' a multi-donor funded NGO, that supports projects in good governance among others, seeks to create synergies among journalists, politicians, citizens and all other sectors of society to secure peaceful elections 2016.

Mr Gyan-Apenteng said it is important for journalists and other professional groups including those mandated to run elections to go strictly by their code of ethics.

He said the Volta Regional Media Advisory Commission (VRMAC) is available as arm of the NMC, to thrash out complaints against the media.

Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the NMC said journalist should reflect objectiveness and be known for it.

He said there are many interest on issues including politics that should attract the attention of journalists.

Mr Sarpong said the underlying pursuit of journalistic work should be peace.

Right Reverend Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Bishop of Ho Catholic Diocese and Chairman of the VRMAC, who presided, urged media practitioners to be highly professional and apply guidelines to the letter.

He said peddling untruth about people hurts and provokes retaliation.

Comments of contributors during an open forum included the need to vary the winner-take-all model in elections, ineffectiveness of the National Commission for Civic Education and the need for orientating the Ghanaians on peace issues.

Mr Alex Akpo, representing the Federation of the Disabled said violence could lead to the maiming of many Ghanaians, who would join ranks with people with disabilities, now struggling for inclusion into the society.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Benedicta Ansah, in charge of Ho Municipality said the toll of conflict on children, women and rest of society is always devastating.

GNA