Abide By The Ethics Or Face God's Wrath

"We dare not misbehave as journalists in the discharge of our duties or face the wrath of God," says Dr. Affail Monney, President Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

The above caution suggests that all isn't well with journalistic practice. Even though all or many media organisations have ethics and standards in place, there are still bad apples among us that often try to go wayward or be sleazy.

Can any profession survive a day without ethics? Imagine if journalists had no rules to regulate their day-to-day activities.

I can only imagine this: They'dl possibly bombard Satan with slanderous articles.

Satan would sue them. They'd fight against the suit and by the power of the sword (pen) bring hell to its knees and have him caged at the Nsawam prison. Some of them would write that Mars is melting and Earth has already melted. But how'd they survive the meltdown?They were on Mars, of course.

Indeed if there were no ethics, the practitioners would become more powerful, bossier, and.ruder. They'd feel untouchable and walk shoulder high with that air of pomposity around them. And just imagine how many of us would be able to differentiate even right from wrong?

So we better not throw away the high standards and the reputation this profession exudes because of our selfish interests or whims.

What are ethics?
Journalistic ethics and standards comprise principles of ethics and good practice applicable to journalists. This subset of media ethics is known as journalism's professional "code of ethics" and the "canons of journalism".

The basic codes and canons commonly appear in statements by professional journalism associations and individual print, broadcast, and online news organisations.

While various codes may have some differences, most share common elements including the principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability as these apply to the acquisition of newsworthy, information and its subsequent dissermination to the public.

Basically, we cannot do good journalism without followingt these principles and the ethics named above. And Dr. Monney was right, journalists must abide by. the ethics and laid down standards to ensure that we don't misinform the public.

Speaking at a Thanksgiving Service by the Assemblies of God End-Time Centre, Adentan in Accra Dr Affail Monney, stressed: "Journalism is not about perpetuating false information to the public or creating unnecessary tension… it's about responsible reporting, involving a well-researched fact to the public devoid of bias or prejudice."

He admonished journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession and avoid intemperate language that could derail the country’s peace ahead of the December polls.

“We dare not misbehave as journalists in the discharge of our duties or face the wrath of God. If we ‘talk by heart’ on television, radio or any media platform and abuse freedom of speech, God will not bless us with Grace,” he said.

Dr Monney therefore urged the media to continue to uphold decorum and circumspection in their reportage, serving as guardians and promoters of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

According to him the country had had successful and peaceful elections and it was imperative to sustain that feat for national cohesion and development.

He advised journalists to cross-check every piece of information gathered and be impartial to all subjects of the news.

Also, the GJA President implored journalists not to report rumour as facts, emanating from party officials, to preserve the integrity of the profession and avoid needless rancour ahead of the polls.

“Let's use our medium to preach peace. We're confident of peaceful and free and fair elections in the impending polls”.

In conclusion, Dr. Monney urged all stakeholders, particularly the Electoral Commission, political parties, the electorate, and civil society to accord all media professionals the necessary assistance to aid their work.

By Gordon Offin-Amaniampong