Journalism In Crisis - J.H Mensah

The Senior Minister, Joseph Henry Mensah says the practice of journalism in the country is in crisis and has lost integrity.

He accused some practitioners of inventing their own stories and abusing their freedoms.

“The crisis is due to the fact that some think their profession entitles them to leave their conscience at home… simple facts can't be distinguished from invention,” he said.

The senior minister was speaking at the opening of a Pan African programme for 100 journalists in Accra on Monday.

Mr Mensah said: when do we practice what is morally right the poison that spread through society is capable of destroying us,”

He expressed worry about constant flouting of professional ethics by some practitioners who he said were always on the offensive and rude to people.

Mr Mensah appealed to Ghanaian Journalists to lift up the moral quality of their profession.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra Most Reverend Charles Palmer Buckle urged journalists to maintain their credibility by being consistent in presenting balanced, honest and fair reportage of events without influence by powerful interests.