Chief Justice Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood on Friday urged Ghanaians reviewing the judgment of the election petition to do so without casting insinuations or make any false allegations.
She said: “I am happy that the petition has come to an end and we must work together to build our nation and respect each other”.
The Chief Justice made these remarks when the newly elected executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) paid a courtesy call on her to introduce themselves and invite her to the Association’s flagship awards night, which comes off on November 2, 2013 at the Banquet Hall.
This year’s GJA Awards would be on the theme: “Promoting Healthy Partisanship and Fruitful Partnership in Governance: The Role of the Media”.
It will have President John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour, the Chief Justice as the Guest Speaker, Alhaji Mohamed Garba, President of the Federation of African Journalists as the Guest of Honour and the UN Resident Coordinator as the Chairperson.
Chief Justice Wood commended journalists for their coverage of the hearing but expressed concern about the lapses adding “we must always ensure that our reportage is geared towards the good of the people and not to undermine the integrity of the other.”
She said the media had enormous powers as the Fourth Estate of the Realm adding that “as you enjoy the freedom associated with it, you must also live up to the responsibilities that go with it”.
Chief Justice Wood said the judiciary was collaborating with the Government of Brazil to air court proceedings in the High and Supreme courts and show a delayed broadcast for the lesser courts to ensure transparency.
This, she said, was also to help improve on the quality of justice and alley the fears of the public of injustice.
Mr Affail Monney, President of the GJA, appealed to the judiciary to help build the capacity of journalists specializing in court reporting to enable them to report accurately.
Source: GNA