Media asked to promote peace

Koforidua, Dec 23, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah, has called on journalists to bring to the public domain issues that would help maintain the peace and tranquillity prevailing in the country.

He urged them to be concerned with the propriety and effect of what they write since "any unguarded statements can inflame passions on the whole society to the detriment of the very people we are keeping informed".

Dr Osafo-Mensah who was speaking at a Soiree for media practitioners in the Eastern Region on Monday, hosted by the Regional Co-ordinating Council reminded journalists of their important role as "the Fourth Estate of the Realm" and their responsibility towards the sustenance and growth of democracy in Ghana.

The Regional Minister noted that utterances and statements by some sections of the public through the media turn into "nasty controversies" because of different interpretations.

He cautioned journalists to guard against creating chaos in the country during the coming electioneering year, adding that, "tempers flare up depending on how you interpret statements".

Dr Osafo-Mensah commended the Eastern Regional Press Corps for their performance in projecting the region with professionalism and gave the assurance that the RCC would support them in the discharge of their work.

The Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Mr. Tom Brentuo, appealed to media practitioners to equip themselves adequately on issues confronting the nation before portraying them to the general public to maintain the sanctity of the profession. He stressed the need for journalists to be guided by the truth and the code of ethics of the profession at all times.

They should consider the national interest above all other partisan considerations to ensure smooth electioneering campaign next year.