The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, is cautioning journalists to be wary of the content they put out. Mr. Jalulah also reminded journalists of their sacred duties of ensuring that the reports that are put out are accurate, just, and objective.
Journalists who do not do this, could become victims of their own unprofessionalism and indiscipline.
The Upper East Regional Chairman of the GJA, who doubles as the General Manager of Bolgatanga-based A1 Radio, a subsidiary of Agreed Best Communication Limited, shared these sentiments when he spoke at a public lecture organised by the GJA.
The lecture is to commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day. It was hinged on the agenda “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All
Other Human Rights towards Ghana’s Development.”
“Whichever way we go, one thing is certain. We can be victims of our own unprofessionalism, acts of indecency in our work, and recklessness because we are part of the society we shape. Also, we can live in a peaceful society because we shape it well.”
“I therefore wish to appeal to all colleagues that, as media professionals, it is our responsibility to be extremely mindful and careful in shaping a society that we can also comfortably live in; a society that would make life meaningful for all. A society that is well educated, well liberated, and well informed,” he said.
Mr. Jalulah explained that while the constitution guarantees the freedoms of all journalists, journalists must be careful not to exceed their limitations.
World Press Freedom Day is an annual event that is celebrated on May 3rd to promote and defend the freedom of the press and to recognise the importance of a free and independent media in democratic societies. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 to raise awareness of the importance of press freedom and to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.
World Press Freedom Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom around the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives while doing their jobs. Each year, a theme is chosen to focus on a particular aspect of press freedom, and events and discussions are organised around the world to raise awareness and promote action towards improving the state of press freedom globally.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
