Let us make noise on development issues -Prof

Accra, Sept 19, GNA - Prof Ivan Addae-Mensah, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon on Thursday said a section of the Ghanaian media was rapidly moving towards a situation of confusion and sloppiness rather than aspiring to clarity and accuracy.

Prof Addae-Mensah, who was delivering the 10th Paul Ansah Memorial Anniversary Lecture in Accra, observed, however, that some others were performing marvellously well against all odds.

The Lecture, organised by " Pax Romana", Catholic Students organisation, was under the theme: "From The 'Culture of Silence to a Culture of Excessive Noise ' - The Media and the Shaping of Public Opinion."

The occasion also marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the School of Communication Studies at the University.

Prof Addae-Mensah criticised the language used in most media reports both in print and electronic, saying many people learnt from the media and called on practitioners to be careful in their reportage.

He said the media was extremely important in shaping people's perception and ideas, but wondered whether everything the media said was seriously taken by the public or the government because a number of issues were raised in the media which neither the government nor public bothered about.

He said many gallant and determined people including the past and present crop of Journalists contributed to break the culture of silence resulting in the death of some them either outside or in prison. He said some people were abusing the freedom of expression adding that the culture of excessive noise was acceptable, provided it was done in an atmosphere of tolerance and civility.

"Let us make excessive noise about the poor quality of education in public basic schools, indiscipline, sanitation, corruption as well as the gradual erosion of the self-confidence of our nation, and the over-reliance and unquestioned acceptance of anything foreign as superior."

Prof Addae-Mensah expressed the hope that the noise being made by the media would actually shape public opinion and influence the actions of government and the nation on the way to development and prosperity.