Northern Regional Branch of GJA warns Freelance Journalists

Tamale, Oct 06, GNA - The Northern Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has expressed dismay in the manner 'Freelance Journalists' have invaded the practice of the profession in the region and bringing it into disrepute. It said the conduct of "these self-styled Freelance Journalists have been a matter of worry, as they rush for monetary favours and ask embarrassing questions at public functions that tend to belittle the intelligence and status of accredited Journalist".

The Association in a statement issued in Tamale and signed by Mr Alhassan Imoru Regional Chairman, said "the invasion by the so-called Freelance Journalists have been found to include private video cameramen, photographers and unemployed youth, with over 20 people attending public functions and representing themselves as employees of private newspapers and radio stations which do not exist."

It cited events such as the coverage of the Conference of Principles of Teacher Training Colleges, meeting of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly to confirm the Metropolitan Chief Executive and the National African Peer Review Mechanism stakeholders Consultation in the Northern Sector where the "So-called Freelance Journalists paraded themselves and asked embarrassing questions."

The Association has therefore, appealed to organizers of public functions to deal with only accredited members of the Association and when in doubt of their identity they should request for their identity cards. It also appealed to the organizers to report anyone found to be imposing as a Journalist to the local branch of the GJA, adding "the Association would soon come out with specially designed Identity Cards for its members." "The Association is determined to protect and defend the reputation of its members and shall not allow self-styled Journalists to bring the profession into disrepute." the statement added.