On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day: Journalists urged to serve the broader interest of society

Agyenim-Boateng (left) and Ransford Tetteh (second right)

JOURNALISTS in Ghana yesterday observed World Press Freedom Day with a symposium, at which the speakers called on journalists to ensure that the core values of press freedom served the broader society.

The speakers indicated that media freedom must be exercised with responsibility within the law.

The theme for this year’s celebration was, “Media freedom has the power to transform societies”.

Speaking at the event, a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr James Agyenim Boateng, said the government would soon submit the Broadcasting Bill to Parliament for promulgation into law to standardise the country’s broadcasting industry and also increase the level of professionalism.

According to him, mismanagement of information could cause more harm than good, as peace was priceless, for which reason there was the need for media freedom not to be compromised.

“It, therefore, behoves all partners, particularly practitioners, to jealously protect the current freedom of speech regime,” he said.

The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, expressed concern over the growing trend of hate speech broadcast on the media landscape.

Adding his voice to calls for the immediate passage of the Broadcasting Bill, Mr Blay-Amihere said the NMC would, in the ensuing months, begin a media monitoring project, to be funded by the European Union (EU), and expressed the hope that the project would help improve standards.

The United Nation’s Resident Co-ordinator, Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, who delivered a speech on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, indicated that the manifestations of unprofessionalism and partisanship in the media were retrogressive to free speech.

“No right or freedom comes without a corresponding obligation. Journalists have a role and responsibility to provide choices that do not incite hate, bigotry and violence,” she charged.

The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Mr Kofi Asamoah, reiterated the need for journalists to be unionised, since media freedom should be underpinned to better working conditions.

The President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Chief Crystal Djirackor, said the migration to digital broadcasting must ensure that practitioners vigorously pursued professionalism and conduct that could promote public confidence in the media.

Earlier, in his welcoming address, the President of the GJA, Mr Ransford Tetteh, had said the gate-keeping role of the media had become very critical, particularly as the nation prepared for the December general election.

“There is, therefore, the need to balance freedom and independence of the media with high obligations of social responsibility,” he said.

He further indicated that the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill would enhance easy access to credible information that would enable people to make informed decisions and choices.

“It is our contention that free flow of information is an asset to good governance,” Mr Tetteh said.
There were solidarity messages from the Editors Forum of Ghana and other stakeholder bodies.

SOURCE: Della Russel Ocloo, Daily Graphic, May 4, 2012