President John Dramani Mahama has called on journalists in Ghana to exercise professionalism and responsibility in holding public officials accountable. Speaking at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, he emphasized the importance of scrutinizing government activities while avoiding unnecessary controversies. According to President Mahama, the media has a crucial role in promoting national development, but deliberately creating scandals can distract attention from pressing issues affecting the country.
President Mahama cited an example of an increasingly adversarial approach to journalism, where a journalist publicly challenges a minister to appear on a radio program to expose an alleged discrepancy. He described this approach as "media zealotry" and urged journalists to respect professional boundaries. The President emphasized that his government would continue to respect the media's mandate to hold public officials accountable, but insisted that journalists must avoid unnecessary disputes that contribute little to national development.
The President also challenged journalists and media organizations to demonstrate greater accountability by correcting false publications and apologizing whenever their reporting damages the reputation of individuals or institutions. He noted that some journalists and media houses struggle to retract stories or issue apologies even when they discover that the information published was inaccurate. President Mahama acknowledged that journalists can make mistakes, but emphasized the importance of correcting errors and apologizing when necessary.
President Mahama called on editors to move beyond excessive concentration on political discussions and pay greater attention to sectors such as entertainment, culture, tourism, agriculture, and business. He argued that the dominance of political discussions on morning radio and television programs can come at the expense of issues that directly affect the daily lives of ordinary Ghanaians. According to the President, journalists should prioritize developmental reporting by investigating challenges facing farmers, communities without accessible roads, and young people struggling to find employment.
The President urged journalists to follow up on government promises and projects to establish whether interventions are delivering the intended results. He encouraged newsrooms to apply consistent standards of evidence when reporting on government, the opposition, and other influential individuals, while giving people accused of wrongdoing a fair opportunity to respond. President Mahama emphasized that responsible journalism, accuracy, and independence are essential to building public trust and strengthening Ghana's democracy.
The 30th GJA Media Awards was held under the theme: "Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age." President Mahama's remarks were made in the context of this theme, which highlights the importance of promoting media freedom while ensuring responsible journalism. The President's call for journalists to prioritize developmental reporting and responsible journalism is seen as a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about the role of the media in Ghana's democratic development.
The President's emphasis on accountability and responsible journalism is particularly relevant in the current media landscape, where the proliferation of social media has created new challenges for journalists and media organizations. As Ghana continues to navigate the complexities of democratic governance, the role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability remains crucial. President Mahama's call for journalists to prioritize developmental reporting and responsible journalism is a timely reminder of the importance of a free and responsible press in a democratic society.
Key points
- President Mahama urges journalists to prioritize developmental reporting and focus on issues affecting the daily lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
