Journalists advised against reporting on inflammatory statements

Kumasi, May 22, GNA-Mr Opoku-Agyemang Prempeh, Managing Director of Lakayana Company, a revenue generation and debt collection consortium, on Saturday appealed to journalists to avoid reporting on inflammatory and insulting statements by politicians to preserve the country's peace and stability.

He said even though politicians at times make derogative statements, journalists should avoid reporting on them for the sake of peace and unity.

Mr Prempeh in an interview with the GNA in Kumasi on Saturday, advised the media to be circumspective in handling issues concerning ethnicity and religion since they could fuel sectional violence. He said instead of focusing on negative statements by individuals and politicians, journalists should rather "fish out for issues that can ensure peaceful co-existence and unity amongst Ghanaians". Mr Prempeh also urged the media to ensure objectivity in they reportage despite the difficulties they at times faced in investigating stories.

He observed that with the proliferation of media houses, competition had become keen, and it was only those with competent personnel that would eventually survive.

Mr Prempeh, therefore, urged owners of private media outlets to employ trained journalists to ensure professionalism.