Media urged to uphold GJA ethics
Kojo Yankah, founder of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) on Friday reiterated the need for media practitioners to uphold and abide by the code of ethics of the Ghana journalists Association (GJA) to sustain peace in the country.
He said although media houses in the country had different ideologies, the GJA remained the ultimate and its code of ethics must be adhered to strictly to promote peace and development.
Mr Yankah was speaking at a day’s round table discussion organized jointly by the Public Affairs Department of the United States Embassy and the AUCC for media practitioners in Tamale.
The meeting was on the theme: “Building Bridges and Strengthening Community through the Media”, and it brought together journalists from Northern and Upper East Regions as well as some communication experts from Ghana and the United States.
It served as a platform to share ideas and experiences on Press Freedom and to fine-tune some of the lapses in the field of journalism.
Mr Yankah advised media personnel to remain development oriented and should guide their reportage towards making change, whether in politics, social, economic, aviation or in education.
“Journalists, especially those in the savanna zone, should report more on challenges engulfing the region such as conflicts, poverty and poor infrastructure,” he said.
Mr Yankah advised media practitioners to be guided against vulgar language when reporting on sensitive issues such as ethnic conflicts and anything relating to court proceedings to avoid inflaming passions.
“The Press Freedom the media is enjoying today should not be abused but must be guarded jealously. It is the responsibility of journalists to render good services to the society by facilitating development and playing the watchdog role effectively,’ he said.
He announced that plans were far advanced by the AUCC management to open a campus in the Northern Region to enable the youth to benefit from the programmes being offered at the College.
Ms Jeanne Clark, Press Attaché of the US Embassy in Ghana gave the assurance that the US government was ready to support any efforts geared towards promoting Press Freedom, which she said, was the hallmark of the United States.
She commended Ghanaian Journalists for the various roles played and contributions to the current peace in the country despite the numerous challenges and urged them to do more to improve the living standards of the people.
Professor Lewis Smith, Journalism Trainer and coordinator of the Communication Degree Programme at the Prairie View A&M University in the US, stressed the need for journalists to use their networks to foster socio-economic development by bringing all actors together to deliberate on development.
He urged media practitioners not to focus always on the negative aspect of issues but should strive to propagate success stories of people, especially women, to encourage others.
“Reach out to the rural people in a sustainable way. Be truthful on issues when reporting and consider the journalistic principles to promote peace and development”, he advised.
Source: GNA