Journalists urged to maintain public trust

Journalists urged to maintain public trust
February 11, 2010
Kumasi, Feb. 11, GNA - Ghanaian journalists have been reminded about the need to ensure high sense of responsibility in the discharge of their duties so as not to lose public trust and support.

Nana Yaw Osei, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), said media practitioners should respect professional ethics and avoid mischief.

Press freedom, he said, was not a license to "the press to ruin the reputation, break the confidence or pollute the course of justice."

Nana Yaw Osei was speaking at the launch of the maiden edition of the "CSUC Communicator" a bi-annual magazine of the Christian Service University College (CSUC).

It is published by the College's Department of Communication Studies.

The Regional Chairman, who is also a legal practitioner, expressed worry that the media landscape is dominated by people with "very little or no professional training" and said they have become a nuisance.

"For such people, there is nothing like code of ethics and their knowledge of the law as far as the profession is concerned can only be described as shameful," he said.

He lauded the College for introducing a programme on communication studies, which he said would assist in providing formal training in journalism.

Nana Yaw Osei called for an independent editorial board to protect contributors, whose letters or articles published might be unpleasant to the University Authorities although they might be for the good of the institution.

Mrs Adwoa Amankwa, Head of the Communication Department, said the magazine seeks to promote the culture of reading and creative writing in the University community.

Professor Emmanuel Frempong, President of the College, commended the lecturers for providing the students with hands-on experience to prepare them for the job market.

GNA