GJA expresses concern about pornography

Mr Kwesi Afriyie Badu, a member of the Ethics Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), on Wednesday said the association required public support to enable it to tackle the proliferation of pornography in the media.

Mr Badu was reacting to concerns raised by a female participant at a forum to mark World Press Freedom Day in Ho regarding "explicit sex" materials in the media and their affront to the dignity of women.


He said on a few occasions the Association had caused to be withdrawn from the market, pornographic materials emanating from abroad when the committee's attention was drawn.


''There is a strong market and patronage for such materials across all spectrum of the Ghanaian society, making the task of policing rather daunting,'' he said and called on the public to advise itself on the patronage of such publications.


"The issue borders on morality in which the larger society has a bigger role to play."


On vindictiveness in the media, he cited a number of complaints that the GJA was able to settle amicably when aggrieved persons adduced enough evidence to support their complaints.


Regarding professional conduct, Mr Badu said the GJA reserved the power to expel any member who acted unprofessionally and was compelled to do so sometime ago.

Mr Badu said the GJA could, however, not extend its authority to non-members because the media profession, unlike others such as Law, is open worldwide.


He said the GJA had, through refresher courses, the rejuvenation of its ethics committee and exhortations, improved on professionalism among its members.


Explaining the inability of the National Media Commission (NMC) to compel journalists to appear before it, Mr Justice Richard Apaloo, a Ho High court Judge, said the NMC did not have ''the power of compulsion.''


He said while aggrieved persons could resort to the courts in such circumstances it was better in the interest of continued good relations for parties to take advantage of the mediation role of the NMC and similar bodies.


Mr Justice Apaloo said it was in the interest of journalists to respect and take advantage of opportunities for mediation because in countries without such opportunities, aggrieved persons resorted to "Self-help" in addressing their grievances with dire consequences for journalists.


Other concerns raised by participants included poor command of the English language, misleading pictures which do not correspond with stories, featuring the same people in newspaper reviews on radio and television programmes and the limitations of rejoinders in assuaging people who were maligned.