Media practitioners urged to exercise discretion with decorum

Kumasi, Oct.5, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister has charged media practitioners to exercise greatest decorum and critically examine what they put in the news for public consumption, especially in the run-up to the December elections in order not to create tension in the country.

He said journalists had discretion in the selection of news but this discretion must be exercised reasonably and with decorum. "Critically examine what you are putting in the domain for public consumption and see if that would not cause any tension and inflame tribal, ethnic, political and religious passion", Mr Owusu-Ansah emphasised, at the inauguration of the Ashanti Regional electoral security taskforce in Kumasi on Friday.

The taskforce comprised all heads of security agencies in the Ashanti region.

The Regional Minister advised journalists not to rush to announce matters that were likely to ignite conflicts and urged them to take time to investigate issues before putting them into public domain. Mr Owusu-Ansah said the taskforce was to assist the Electoral Commission to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections on December 7, 2008.

He charged members of the taskforce to remain neutral and be tactful in the performance of their duties.

They should also be firm and fair and go by values that would put them above reproach.

He pledged the support of the Regional Co-ordinating Council to the taskforce and urged members not to hesitate to let the Council know their problems.

Mr Owusu-Ansah also charged them to liaise with the District Electoral Security Taskforces and coordinate their activities to ensure well defined roles for security personnel in all the constituencies.