Media must tell the truth - Professor Izard

Professor Emeritus Ralph Izard, Professor of Journalism and Education, Ohio University-USA, has called on media practitioners to eschew partiality and tell the truth no matter how controversial or difficult the issues might seem.

This, he said, would enable them to serve the populace and help them make informed decisions on issues.

“There is no truth if media coverage is provided only to specific segments of the community. It is only partial truth,” he added.

Speaking at the launch of the 10th anniversary celebrations of African University College of Communication (AUCC) on Wednesday in Accra, he noted that, in education, the goal of every media house must be to help educate the citizenry about issues pertaining to their communities.

Prof. Izard said the only way the media could provide great reportage was by coming out with multiple perspectives and providing the citizenry the platform to express their views without inhibitions.

“Consciously seeking alternative points of views of many people on matters helps us to know the different shades of issues based on which decisions or solutions to challenges could be drawn.”

Mr Kojo Yankah, Founder and President of AUCC, appealed to educational institutions in the country to develop courses that would offer graduates ready jobs after their graduation.

“Unemployment is high because the institutions are not producing the right graduates for the job market,” he added.

Mr Yankah noted that the issue had resulted in the formation of association for unemployed graduates in the country, and pledged the commitment of AUCC to provide graduates with the requisite technical know-how and ICT knowledge.**