From left: Affail Monney, Dr Doris Dartey and Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng and Linda Asante-Agyei, GJA Vice President at the press conference
The National Media Commission (NMC) has urged Ghanaian journalists to be honest and dedicated in order to play their watchdog role of keeping government officials and some persons in positions of power in check.
Chairman of the NMC, Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, made the call at a pre-event press conference ahead of the 25th edition of the World Press Freedom Day celebrations slated for May 3, 2018 in Accra.
The press conference, held by the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA), in collaboration with NMC, was aimed at informing Ghanaians about activities to commemorate the global celebrations in Ghana.
UNESCO marks World Press Freedom Day each year with themes on good governance, media coverage of terrorism and impunity.
This year’s global celebration is under the theme: “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law.”
In line with this year’s theme, Dr Gyan-Apenteng said that “the journalist must come to his duties with honesty, dedication and purpose.”
He indicated that “we (journalists) cannot seek fairness and justice; we cannot fight against galamsey, corruption or other social ills when we are ourselves are covered in filth,” stressing that “we must come to equity with clean hands.”
According to him, it was necessary for Ghanaian journalists to rededicate themselves to the principles of the highest journalistic practice.”
The chairman said, “Today, the governments of Ghana no longer routinely harass journalists as was the case in the bad old days.”
He indicated that “but what are we doing with our freedom? We have sold our independence for a calabash of porridge to the highest bidder.”
“Some people masquerading as journalists are in truth mere appendages of political and business interests. Those people are abusing our constitution and soiling the memory of our pioneers and those men and women, whose sacrifices have brought us to our current situation.”
About 700 delegates and participants are expected to take part in the activities that have been lined up.
He said the GJA would collaborate with various institutions to organize a symposium, welcome reception and vigil night and panel discussion.
By Melvin Tarlue