The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a series of events that reflect on the evolution and ongoing relevance of the organization in a rapidly changing media landscape.
William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, Chairman of the GJA in the Upper East Region, emphasized the association’s achievements over the decades. “If you look at the core essence of the GJA, it’s been largely relevant for us to look back and say that, over the years, the association has achieved a lot.”
He highlighted the importance of adapting to the shifting dynamics of media, which have evolved significantly since the GJA’s inception. “Although we appreciate the fact that the association has achieved so much, we still strive to do more because the trends in media keep changing day by day.”
Mr. Jalulah noted that the GJA has implemented a series of regional and national programs, with each region being tasked with hosting at least one event to commemorate the anniversary. “At the national council, we decided to allow each region to host at least one program as part of the 75th anniversary. Every region was mandated to execute at least one event.”
In the Upper East Region, a public lecture on climate change was hosted at GANASS Hotel in the regional capital, addressing local concerns related to the environmental impact on the region.
Mr. Jalulah also noted that nationally, the GJA has held several key events, including lectures in Kumasi and Ho, with the main celebration scheduled to climax in Accra today. “We had one lecture in Kumasi at the national level, another in Ho in the Volta Region, and today, we are having the main celebration in Accra, which will draw many more people to the association’s events,” he said.
The GJA Chairman stressed the importance of maintaining professionalism in journalism, particularly in the age of social media. “With the advancement of social media, it has become increasingly challenging to practice as a journalist. The only difference between social media and journalism is professionalism, and if we lose that, there will be no more journalism.”
“If we abandon professionalism, it becomes a problem for our society because the core of journalism is upholding its principles,” he added.
He urged journalists to uphold the core principles of their profession, noting that distinguishing professional journalism from the proliferation of information on social media is crucial for maintaining the integrity and impact of the field. “My encouragement to us is to stay focused and maintain professionalism as journalists. That is the only sure way we can distinguish ourselves from those who simply spread information,” he concluded.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com|101.1MHz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga|
