GJA President expresses concern about use of jargon in sports journalism

Accra, Feb 17, GNA - Miss Adjoa Yeboah-Afari, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has expressed concern over the use of jargons and other technical terms by sports journalists, which readers find difficult to understand.

"When you read sports reports, it's like a 'members only' report but we are supposed to be educating and entertaining the general public". "When I have parted with my hard earned four thousand cedis to buy a sports paper, it is not fair to leave me with so many questions unanswered because the reporter has written as if I know the story already" the GJA president stated.

Miss Yeboah-Afari said these at the launch of the second edition of the National Sports Journalists Awards organised by Media Trust. She called on the organizers to find a way of awarding those who in their coverage of events explained such jargons and other technical words and references.

The President said sports journalism is a passionate and gigantic industry and therefore called on sports journalists to be conscious of their responsibilities.

"We must carry out our role of performing, educating and entertaining the people with respect to our code of ethics, fairness, accuracy and balance in every sentence". Miss Yeboah-Afari called on journalists to ensure that their power and influence contribute to the positive development of sports and for the good of the country.

She commended the organizers for coming out with the initiative, adding that it will promote excellence in the profession. The ceremony is scheduled for April 8, at the Coconut Grove Hotel, which will see the award of journalists in 13 different categories. Among the categories are the Best Television Commentator, Sports Paper of the Year, Best Sports Catoonists, Best Sports Photographer, Sports Writer of the Year and the Best Radio Commentator in local and English languages.

The rest of the awards are Best Presentation Updates, Sports Columnists of the Year, Best Radio Presentation in Talk Shows, Best Sports Station (Television), Sports Station of the Year (Radio) and Sports Presenter of the Year for both radio and television. Competitors are to submit three copies of their works in six out of the 13 categories.

The six areas are the Sports Presenter of the Year for Radio and Television as well as Sports Writer of the Year award and Sports Columnists of the Year Awards.

Competitors for Best Photographer and Cartoonists of the Year are to submit ten copies of their works.

However, Sports Paper of the Year, Sports Station of the Year- Television and Radio, Best Commentator Television and Radio and Best Radio Talk Show of the Year will be determined by the general public.