Mustapha Hamid during the launch
INFORMATION MINISTER Mustapha Hamid yesterday launched the revised version of the Ghana Journalists’ Association’s (GJA’s) Code of Ethics.
The new code was drafted in Ho, Volta Region, in 2016 under the chairmanship of Kweku Rockson.
The code, with 24 guidelines, seeks to ensure that members of GJA adhere to the highest ethical standards, professional competence and good behaviour in carrying out their duties.
GJA’s old code of ethics, which laid emphasis on people’s right to true information, professional integrity and social responsibility, came into force in 1994.
However, with the proliferation of media houses in the country, it became necessary for the association to revise its code, said GJA President, Affail Monney, in a statement at the launch held at the Accra International Press Centre.
The new code is considered a ready guide that is applicable to all categories of journalists with newspapers, radio, television, cross-media, multimedia, online media, new media, social media, photojournalists, cartoonists and animation specialists.
Dr Kweku Rockson observed that the new code, drafted with support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), would ensure the highest journalistic standards and assist media practitioners to avoid legal breaches.
Mr. Hamid in a statement to launch the revised code, appealed to media practitioners to respect the ethics of their profession, saying ethics constitute the foundation of every society.
He also urged media practitioners to make conscious efforts in acquiring more knowledge to be able to make informed contributions to national discourse, stressing that acquisition of knowledge is non-negotiable for journalism.
Suggesting measures to improve the quality of journalism in Ghana, the minister asked that some media houses consider merging.
Several media experts, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Western Publications Limited, publishers of DAILY GUIDE, Gina Blay, and Editor of the paper, Fortune Alimi, according to the President of GJA, made useful inputs into the new code.
Mr. Monney admonished journalists to abide by the guidelines spelt out in the new code when discharging their professional duties.
BY Melvin Tarlue