Graphic and Chronicle editors were not professional - GJA

The Ethics Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association on Wednesday said Mr. Elvis Aryeh, Editor of the Daily Graphic and Nana Kofi Coomson, Publisher of the Ghanaian Chronicle did not act in the best interest of the profession by criticising each other.

In a Joy FM radio discussion programme on May 2, Mr. Coomson made allegations of impropriety against the Daily Graphic to which Mr. Aryeh reacted imputing improper conduct to Mr Coomson.

A statement signed by Mrs. Frances Ademola, Chairperson of the committee which was mandated by the GJA to investigate the conduct of the two journalists said the committee observed that the two were motivated by their desires to uphold media accountability. However, the committee finds that their mode of approach fell short of professional etiquette.

The statement said at a meeting to resolve the issue, Mr. Coomson admitted that he had been unduly harsh in his criticism and had reacted harshly under provocation.

Mr. Aryeh, it said, was unwilling to give any supporting evidence before the committee but Mr. Coomson indicated his preparedness to give evidence.

The committee, the statement said, reminded editors of the need for civility in their criticism of colleagues, public officials as well as the general public.

It said the profession's ethics of right to true information and the obligation to write and report the truth enjoin journalists to substantiate every allegation at every point in time.

"The committee therefore finds Mr. Aryeh's position of unwillingness to provide evidence unhelpful."

It recommended that in the event of Mr. Coomson issuing a rejoinder in reaction to the Daily Graphic editorial of May 3, 2000, the Graphic shall in conformity of the constitutional provision on rejoinders, give such a rejoinder the same prominence as its editorial.