Let’s work to firm up our independence - Journalists told

Speakers at a symposium on Press Freedom in Ghana through the years, on Thursday urged media practitioners to work against influences and professional breaches, which undermine their independence to produce credible news for society’s advancement.

They paid tribute to the forebears who fought for freedom in the eras of dictatorship and military regimes, pointing out that their struggles and sacrifices had paid off with Ghana being celebrated as having the best of freedoms in Africa today.

However, they noted that the media had to perform above the influences from the owners, advertisers, the government of the day being the largest source of news, gifts, as well as their own partisan interests and agendas to guarantee their independence.

The Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, the Chairman of the Peace Council, chaired the symposium under theme: “Addressing Press Freedom in Ghana - The Search for Democracy: Lessons learned and the Way Forward,” to herald the World Press Freedom Day.

Dr Anthony Bonah-Koomson, a media consultant, Mr Cameron Duodu, an ace journalist and a Former Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, Editor of the Junior Graphic, Assistant Commissioner of Police, David Eklu, Director-General of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, the Chairman of the National Media Commission, among others, spoke to the issue.

Other speakers were Dr Messan Mawugbe, the Founder of the Centre for Media Analysis and Mr Zaya Yeebo, the Managing Editor of the Public Agenda.

Dr Bonah-Koomson, a veteran media lecturer, stated that the greatest threat to modern day journalism was the lack of personal and professional integrity, adding that a journalist without integrity was susceptible to threats, favours and intimidation.

Such journalists, he said, did not reflect on the motives of their news sources, were not humble enough to accept their errors and underestimated the influences of the gifts they received on their judgements.

He said in succumbing to the influence of gifts, those who had good stories but could not offer same would not be heard.