PRACTISE RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM, WOYONGO TELLS JOURNALISTS
PRACTISE RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM, WOYONGO TELLS JOURNALISTS
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM January 22, 2010
ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Upper East Regional Minister, Honourable Mark Owen Woyongo has called on journalists in the region to practise their profession responsibly and also adhere to the ethics set by the Ghana Journalists Association [GJA]. He noted that, the expunging of the Criminal Libel Law from the statute books of the country was to enhance the work of journalists but not to create room for a few bad nuts to denigrate the enviable profession.
The regional minister made the call in an address to journalists at a press soiree held at the residency and organised by the regional co-ordinating council [RCC] to afford media practitioners and the minister the opportunity to refresh themselves and at the same time, deliberate on issues of common interest including the performance of the various media houses in respect to the work of the RCC during the previous year.
Honourable Woyongo tasked the regional branch of the GJA and the National Media Commission to bring to book any media house or journalist who acts unprofessionally in the discharge of duties. He advised journalists in the region to be circumspect in their reportage especially those who frequently report on the ethnic clashes in Bawku noting that journalists can help restore peace in Bawku if they set and sustain the right agenda.
He also used the occasion to remind journalists of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Upper East region in the course of this year and appealed to them to advertise the region positively through their various networks. He said the residents of the region need to be constantly reminded of the significance of the anniversary in order to solicit their support and counted on the media to do that.
The regional minister pledged the support of the RCC to all media establishments in the region irrespective of their status and size while hoping that all of them will continue to live about reproach.
The Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr. Eric Amo in a word to his colleagues noted that journalists have a great role to play in the development of the region. He therefore cautioned them to be mindful with their utterances on the airwaves and comments they make on topical issues.
He advised especially the youthful breed of journalists to always dress decently and comport themselves well in public since their appearance has a lot to say about people in the profession.
Mr. Amo noted that Upper East region lacks certain basic infrastructural facilities while poverty also looms very high among the populace and urged his colleague journalists to report more on positive happenings and investment opportunities that exist in the region.
He said the media should also throw the spotlight on the efforts of traditional authorities who are working tirelessly to improve the living conditions of their people and mentioned the Bongo Naba as one chief who has been working in silence over the years to stamp out female genital mutilation in the Bongo traditional area.
The GJA chairman advised journalists against rushing to be the first with the news without recourse to the possible impact a report could have on the community be it good or bad. He said journalists should endeavour to write reports that are capable of bringing relief and development to the people who make the news.
A veteran broadcaster with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation regional FM station, URA Radio Mr. Raymond Gaah noted that some serial callers on radio phone-in programmes often use the radio networks to foment trouble through unguided statements. He therefore asked radio presenters and disc jokeys to be extra careful when hosting such programmes saying they should not hesitate to politely cut callers with mischievious submissions.
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM January 22, 2010
ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Upper East Regional Minister, Honourable Mark Owen Woyongo has called on journalists in the region to practise their profession responsibly and also adhere to the ethics set by the Ghana Journalists Association [GJA]. He noted that, the expunging of the Criminal Libel Law from the statute books of the country was to enhance the work of journalists but not to create room for a few bad nuts to denigrate the enviable profession.
The regional minister made the call in an address to journalists at a press soiree held at the residency and organised by the regional co-ordinating council [RCC] to afford media practitioners and the minister the opportunity to refresh themselves and at the same time, deliberate on issues of common interest including the performance of the various media houses in respect to the work of the RCC during the previous year.
Honourable Woyongo tasked the regional branch of the GJA and the National Media Commission to bring to book any media house or journalist who acts unprofessionally in the discharge of duties. He advised journalists in the region to be circumspect in their reportage especially those who frequently report on the ethnic clashes in Bawku noting that journalists can help restore peace in Bawku if they set and sustain the right agenda.
He also used the occasion to remind journalists of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Upper East region in the course of this year and appealed to them to advertise the region positively through their various networks. He said the residents of the region need to be constantly reminded of the significance of the anniversary in order to solicit their support and counted on the media to do that.
The regional minister pledged the support of the RCC to all media establishments in the region irrespective of their status and size while hoping that all of them will continue to live about reproach.
The Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr. Eric Amo in a word to his colleagues noted that journalists have a great role to play in the development of the region. He therefore cautioned them to be mindful with their utterances on the airwaves and comments they make on topical issues.
He advised especially the youthful breed of journalists to always dress decently and comport themselves well in public since their appearance has a lot to say about people in the profession.
Mr. Amo noted that Upper East region lacks certain basic infrastructural facilities while poverty also looms very high among the populace and urged his colleague journalists to report more on positive happenings and investment opportunities that exist in the region.
He said the media should also throw the spotlight on the efforts of traditional authorities who are working tirelessly to improve the living conditions of their people and mentioned the Bongo Naba as one chief who has been working in silence over the years to stamp out female genital mutilation in the Bongo traditional area.
The GJA chairman advised journalists against rushing to be the first with the news without recourse to the possible impact a report could have on the community be it good or bad. He said journalists should endeavour to write reports that are capable of bringing relief and development to the people who make the news.
A veteran broadcaster with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation regional FM station, URA Radio Mr. Raymond Gaah noted that some serial callers on radio phone-in programmes often use the radio networks to foment trouble through unguided statements. He therefore asked radio presenters and disc jokeys to be extra careful when hosting such programmes saying they should not hesitate to politely cut callers with mischievious submissions.
Comments