Methodist Bishop commends media for contributing to deepen democracy

Right Reverend Kofi Asare Bediako, Methodist Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, has commended the media for their contribution to deepen the country’s democracy especially at the grassroots.

He said the liberalisation of the airwaves and multiplicity of avenues for Ghanaians to express their views had positively contributed to Ghana’s democratic dispensation.

He said when the feelings, views and sentiments of the people are bottled-up they explode and that did not ugur well for nation building. Rt. Rev. Bediako gave the commendation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani.

He explained that the government sometimes could not respond promptly to the concerns of the people hence the avenues provided by the media for expression of those concerns provided a relief as the people felt their concerns had been heard.

Rev. Bediako said for the media to improve on their contribution to the country’s fledgling democracy required individual practitioners and media organisations to be circumspect in their reportage and publications.

“It is the media’s role and responsibility to avoid the use of intemperate language by aggrieved persons to express their sentiments,” he added.

Rev. Bediako commended the National Peace Council (NPC) for its excellent performance in maintaining peace in the country especially during Election 2012.

“Although most people took activities of the NPC for granted, it is a wonderful institution through which God had helped the nation to maintain peace,” he said.