Media play its Role well -Ephson

Accra, Feb 27, GNA - The Editor-in-Chief of the 93Daily

Dispatch", Mr. Ben Ephson, has said that despite some ugly

practices, the media had been able to discharge its

responsibilities creditably under the fourth republic. Speaking at a public lecture on the topic: 93The Media in the

Fourth Republic: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", Mr Epson

said journalists were not perfect and had sometimes made

mistakes in the exercise of their duties. Some of these shortcomings include infringement on

people's rights and the abuse of media freedom. However, he said, it would be wrong to use such mistakes to

generalise the performance of the media over the years. The lecture was organised by the Graduate School of

Governance and Leadership as part of its political leadership

discourse aimed at creating political awareness among the

citizenry. The lecture also served as an opening for the maiden edition

of the International Senior Executive Residency programme in

Governance and Political Leadership. Mr Ephson said public perception of media corruption had

led to loss of confidence in the critical work of journalists and

warned that the credible days of corrupt practitioners were

numbered. Despite this, Mr Ephson said the media had demonstrated

over the years that it was a credible instrument in exposing

corruption and journalists had often put their lives on the line to

bring the truth to the public. Besides, the media had also played a critical role in ensuring

free and fair elections through on the spot reportage of

activities at polling stations across the country. On broadcasting, Mr Ephson said the National

Communications Authority must tighten its regulations on

licensing of radio station to ensure sanity in the practice of

broadcasting in the country. He said despite the fact that the constitution guaranteed

media freedom, regulation was necessary to help enforce

standards and to promote professionalism in the media. Dr Edward Mahama, who chaired the function, said the media

was not leaving up to its responsibilities because it had been

unable to exercise the freedom it has in setting national goals

and aspirations.