Journalists urged not to abuse societal trust

Journalists in Ghana have been urged to value the trust that society has placed in them, and keep watch over the other three realms of governance.

Mr Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, a journalist, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, advised media practitioners in Koforidua when he delivered the World Press Freedom Day Lecture of the Eastern Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) .

According to him, the rest of society was counting on journalists to exercise their special role in keeping watch of the society, most especially over the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, to ensure the well being of the vulnerable, and the nation at large.

“This is a huge responsibility the media have in lieu of the freedom they are currently enjoying; we cannot afford to abuse the trust society has for us; because society must change, and if we want to change society positively, journalism is the more immediate short term weapon,” he asserted.

Mr Sakyi-Addo called on journalists not to shirk their responsibility of reporting accurately, fairly and objectively, adding that, the journalism profession required every professional journalist to keep an “open mind” in discharging their duties.

He asserted that integrity always sold better and lasted longer than sensationalism, and therefore entreated journalists not to engage in publishing lies and speculations as well as sensational stories.

“Be diligent and go the extra mile to check and cross-check your facts before reporting; make sure you never get your news wrong, for if you always report the truth, your byline will be associated with truth,” he added.

Mr Sakyi-Addo also urged journalists to endeavour to build their capacity at all times, adding that, rather than misusing the social media, journalists should use it to make themselves better media practitioners.

While observing that social media had become a challenge in the media landscape, he pointed out that, increasingly news did not break on the traditional media, but rather on the social media “like wild fire.”

Mr Sakyi-Addo, therefore, urged traditional media outlets to step-up their efforts, especially in the era where social media had become the order of the day, and also called for sanity in the social media.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako Sekyere , the Eastern Regional Minister, praised journalists in the region for their contributions towards its development, and urged them not to undermine the ethics of their profession in the discharge of their duties.

Dr Kwaku Owusu Acheampong, the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben, advised journalists to desist from reporting falsehood, and blackmailing people.

He cautioned journalists not to take sides when reporting.