MFWA, PRINPAG to launch Code of Ethics for responsible Journalism ahead of 2024 Elections

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in collaboration with the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), will launch a Code of Ethics for PRINPAG to guide the work of members of the Association.

The launch is scheduled for Thursday, October 17, 2024 in Accra.

This event forms part of MFWA’s activities under the DW Akademie-funded project: Promoting Fact-Based and Critical Reporting in Ghana’s Electioneering Processes through Public Interest and Accountability. The project aims to promote fact-based and critical reporting, especially as Ghana heads for general elections in December 2024.

The forum will bring together key stakeholders, including journalists, editors, civil society organizations, media associations, regulatory bodies, and members of the donor community, to discuss the crucial role of ethical journalism in safeguarding democracy. Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), will launch the code of ethics.

Compiled to bring it in line with modern standards, the PRINPAG code of ethics now has an expanded scope of provisions that also cover online publishers who are members of the Association. As Ghana approaches the 2024 General Elections, the need for accurate, responsible, and fact-based reporting has never been more crucial. This is especially so in an era of the proliferation of online news platforms that often afford many untrained members of the public platforms to practice citizen journalism.

Given that the opportunities that come with online media are also seriously fraught with challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and sensationalism, PRINPAG’s Code of Ethics provides crucial guidelines that promote professionalism, accuracy, fairness, and objectivity for journalists and news publishers.

Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Executive Secretary of PRINPAG, emphasised the timeliness of the Code of Ethics, stating, "The media’s responsibility in this critical election year cannot be overstated. Our updated Code of Ethics aims to ensure that journalists remain committed to truth, transparency, and professionalism, which are essential for peaceful and credible elections. This launch marks a new chapter in strengthening the role of private newspapers and online news publishers in promoting ethical journalism."

As part of the launch, a forum will be held to discuss the importance of ethical journalism in the lead-up to the elections. It will serve as a platform to learn and share best practices for fact-checking and critical reporting and offer insights on how journalists can uphold the highest standards of professionalism in their reporting.