Logo of the Ghana Journalist Association
Ghanaian media professionals have been advised to maintain high ethical standards in the evolving media landscape.
The statement was made during a discussion at a research seminar organized by the Directorate of Research Innovation and Development (DRID) of the University of Media, Arts, and Communication on July 26, 2024.
The online Zoom conference brought together media professionals, academics, and students to discuss the critical issue of journalism ethics and its application in today’s fast-paced, digital-driven world, myjoyonline.com indicated.
Speaking on the topic, "Journalism Standards in Ghana: Academic-Industry Solutions for Quality Reportage,” the panel, made up of experienced journalists, media trainers, and legal experts, emphasized the need for comprehensive verification processes and the challenges faced by the industry in upholding ethical standards.
Prof. Etse Sikanku, Director of DRID, explained that the seminar was organized due to the controversy surrounding Chef Smith’s attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking hours.
Several media outlets reported the event, but it later turned out to be false.
Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, a consultant in communication, media, and culture, highlighted the media’s duty to serve the public by providing accurate and unbiased information, emphasizing the importance of adhering to basic journalistic standards, such as thoroughly verifying information before publication.
He warned that failure to adhere to journalistic standards could undermine public trust in the media and empower those who aim to weaken press freedom.
“…So all the things that constitute the standards are objectivity, neutrality, and whatever. The standard was that you had to serve the public interest. And it is from that basis that we derive all the ethical standards and all the other issues that pertain to this issue,” he stated.
He added that common errors of misinformation will be minimized if we obey all the necessary processes since news publication is a process that requires various structures at every stage to fact-check what is published.
“And so, in the olden days, you had very clear steps to the point where, in terms of the newspaper, your editor takes over and can make changes. So, the point is that you need, at every point, someone to take responsibility. You need, at every point, someone to push it up to the next level and sign off,” Prof. Sikanku stated.
An experienced and renowned journalist at the Multimedia Group Limited, Emefa Apawu, mentioned the need for media organizations to establish strong internal mechanisms for gatekeeping news content. She shared an instance where her company’s organizational structure played a significant role in preventing the publication of a story about Chef Smith that day.
She explained that the systems thoroughly examined and researched every piece of information, and without getting the needed verification, they chose not to publish the story. She emphasized that while journalists always aim to be the first to report, it is imperative to ensure accuracy and ethics through the verification of information.
“… it was important that we check first by verifying, so I recall I went to the studio and told Evans this is what we have, I have done the headline, but we are still checking, what do we do? And he said he was also checking. At that time, Chef Smith had yet to address the conference, and we were asking his team what exactly was going on, but nobody was giving anything. That was when our instinct clicked in, and we said let’s wait and see…”.
Dr. Tim Quashigah, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Media Arts and Communication - Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ), stressed the importance of media practitioners and journalists taking responsibility for their practice and operations, despite the pressures they face from their organizations or superior factors.
“But in dealing with all of these challenges, my colleagues have mentioned whether it is a question of a multiplicity of media, pressure from the political authority, pressure from economic interest, the political economy of news, and all of that, we can go and look for the problems, but in handling all of these problems, I will prescribe there should be a journalism of urgency. By that, the journalists must make their own decisions and be responsible for their actions and inaction,” he added.
He explained the great consequences that could result from the irresponsibility of journalists and how it could negatively affect everyone and even the entire nation.
“So it’s okay to publish or stream live online. But in the end, you have to take responsibility for your actions and inaction because you don’t want to do something that would damage your credibility for life. There’s no way you can take it back. Even if you offer a rejoinder, are you going to assemble everybody to listen to it, to read it? You can cause a coup by what you write, and we know if there is an insurrection, if there is a problem, we all know the whole State can be Stateless,” he said.
Zakaria Tanko Musa, a legal practitioner and lecturer of Media Law and Ethics at UniMAC-IJ, explained the legal consequences of ethical violations in journalism.
He revealed that research indicates many ethical breaches frequently lead to legal repercussions for the media professional. He advised rigorous training and education for student journalists to enhance professionalism in the field and commended the collaboration between academia and the industry to change the narrative.
“For me, I think it is very important. The topic is academia and industry solutions because when we train them and they go out there, they leave our hands, and now the rest is left with the industry. How is the industry ensuring that there is the theoretical and sometimes the practical training the students have gained in the classrooms, how are they making sure that these things are accurately carried on going forward,” he stated.
Mr. Tanko further cautioned media houses not to choose speed over accuracy since that could jeopardize their reputation.
The seminar ended with advice to student journalists, professionals in the field, and the media to uphold the ethical principles and standards that have been the foundation of responsible journalism.
On February 1, 2024, Chef Smith began his cooking marathon and ended on March 6, 2024, at Tema Community 18, Tema, in front of Amadia Shopping Centre.
On July 2, 2024, Chef Smith hosted a press conference at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra and claimed he had been adjudged the new record holder for cooking for 802 hours and 25 minutes.
He displayed a certificate to the media which he said was given to him by the Guinness World Record.
The press conference sparked a reaction from his sponsor stating that Chef Smith refused to acknowledge them.
The incident led to the questioning of the authenticity of Chef Smith’s certificate and claims, prompting the media to verify with Guinness World Record, which later turned out to be false claims.
“No, this is not true. He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate. The current and true holder is: the longest cooking marathon (individual) 199 hours 57 mins 16 secs and was achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from September 28 to October 3, 2023,” GWR clarified in a response to the media.
RAD/SA
Watch the latest edition of BizHeadlines below:
Ghana’s leading digital news platform, GhanaWeb, in conjunction with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, is embarking on an aggressive campaign which is geared towards ensuring that parliament passes comprehensive legislation to guide organ harvesting, organ donation, and organ transplantation in the country.
Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel
