Prioritise the security of journalists – Kwesi Pratt to Media Houses

Mr Kwesi Pratt Junior, the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, has urged Ghanaian media organisations to enhance their security systems at their operational areas to ensure the safety of media practitioners.

He noted that, with the high incidents of violence against media practitioners, especially in Africa, there was the need to beef up security at media houses to forestall any eventuality.

He said an enhanced security could be in the form of personnel or advanced electronic technology.

Mr Pratt gave the advice at a forum organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra to discuss matters concerning freedom of expression, working conditions and safety of journalists.

The forum, which was funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), brought together veteran, senior and young media practitioners.

Mr Pratt, who spoke on the topic: “Safety of Journalists” said most media organisations in Ghana could not provide proper security for their staff and operational areas due to lack of funds.

“We the managers of the media houses are not getting companies to purchase advertisement columns anymore, so where will the funds for the security systems come from?

The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper said journalists did not only suffer from physical violence or abuse, but also psychological abuse.

He urged journalists not to be “Too hard on themselves” and instead project their good works and the important roles they were playing in the society.

“Journalists should let go off pressures of the profession and showcase to the world the great roles that they’re playing in the society”, he added.

Mr Pratt also urged the GJA to form a committee to facilitate the employment of journalists, saying; “There are about 1,000 students graduating each year from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, now after their graduation, where do they go? The media houses do not have the fund and capacity to employ them, so what happens to them?”

He asked journalists to be professional in the discharge of their duties, instead of affiliating themselves with political parties to promote their agenda.