The Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM) is demanding retraction and an unqualified apology from Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, against the female television sports presenters covering the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Captain Smart, on his social media platforms and on his morning show programme on Accra-based Onua FM/TV, reportedly accused female television sports presenters for “chopping” players of the senior national men’s football team, the Black Stars, resulting in their exit in the group stage of the tournament.
Motivated by his ludicrous allegations, Captain Smart asked the Ghana Football Association to “stop all female TV presenters from following the Black Stars”.
ASWIM finds it absurd and very difficult to understand why of all the technical reasons that can undermine a soccer team’s performance, Captain Smart chose such a baseless and malicious allegation to make his point.
According to ASWIM, his action does not only demonstrate his limitation in engaging in professional sports analysis but also his lack of appreciation of professional journalism.
“Captain Smart must understand that responsibility is at the core of professional journalism and its demands include the careful collection of facts, talking to credible sources, discerning the information and presenting it in an impartial and responsible manner in the public interest.
“Again, journalism ethics demand objectivity, honesty and the willingness of practitioners to retract or correct inaccurate information.
“The ASWIM wishes to state that it is utterly proud of female media practitioners who have had to, over the decades, work harder than usual in order to cross the finish line of sports journalism to rub shoulders with their male counterparts.
“It is in this vein that it strongly condemns Captain Smart’s comments, which we believe, was not so smart thinking as it smacks of one which was conceived out of the lack of knowledge and appreciation of the tenets of the journalism profession,” ASWIM said in a statement issued and signed by Mavis Kitcher (Mrs), President ASWIM.
The female sports presenters believe Captain Smart’s comments were obviously meant to denigrate the accomplishments by the women and belittle their contribution to the world of sports simply because they are women.
“ASWIM, consequently, admonishes Captain Smart to withdraw his comments and render an unqualified apology to the female television sports presenters, and indeed, all women in the media,” It said.
It also appeals to Media General, which has offered Captain Smart a very high moral ground to ply his trade, to call him to order and uphold the ethics of our profession.
“We need to bear in mind that bad journalism can cause irreparable damage to its victims and has tremendous effects on the lives of many,” according to the women.
The Association therefore urges all women in the media not to be deterred by comments that seek to undermine their noble efforts and successes but to continue to distinguish themselves in their areas of specialisation for nation building.
“Indeed, ASWIM acknowledges the good work of her female sports presenters, writers and all specialized writers who have overcome the stereotypes in the profession and ventured into varied fields to bring to the fore other perspectives to enrich their reportage.
You have continued to perform excellently over the decades and ASWIM is proud of your achievements and zeal to soar higher always,” it added.
By Vincent Kubi