Parliament wants media accuracy reportage on proceedings

The Leadership of Parliament on Thursday refuted media claims that legislators intended to go on strike over unpaid emoluments, urging accuracy in the reportage of proceedings of the House by journalist.

Reports monitored in some media outlets indicated that legislators had declared their intention to boycott the House’s business on January 10, 2013 because the salaries and emoluments of members in the dissolved Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic were in arrears.

In a media interaction convened by the leadership to address an issue raised last Tuesday by Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, they said the MP’s concern had been misreported.

Dr Akoto Osei submitted on the floor of parliament that legislators would not be focused on the business of the House if outstanding wages of the previous parliament remained unpaid.

Majority Leader Dr Benjamin Kunbuor and Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu both held that the media’s reportage on the MP’s sentiments were incorrect.

Dr Kunbuor said the publication created the negative impression that lawmakers were self-seeking and that such unhealthy publications would not serve the interest and integrity of the legislature.

He advised politicians and members of the House to refrain from employing the media for their parochial interest, calling for a more beneficial interface between the legislature and the media for a focused national interest.

Mr Mensah-Bonsu said even though the media made occasional slips, they should concentrate on issues that enhanced national cohesion and development.

“Innocuous matters may crop up, but let us all be in the same boat together to deal with the big issues and not be distracted by minor sidekicks,” he urged.

The Minority Leader counseled the media to do diligent checks on issues they were in doubt about before relaying them to the public.

Source: GNA