GJA President Proposes Private Members’ Bill To Promote Media Freedom

Albert Kwabena Dwumfour

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin to support a Private Members’ Bill that will promote media freedom and ensure a good welfare regime for journalists.

According to him, it is a well-known fact that journalists and media practitioners are among the lowest-paid professionals in the country and pleaded with the Finance Minister to champion the financial well-being of journalists and resource the state-owned media to deliver on their mandate.

“This will also encourage private media owners to do same. This is crucial because, as former US President Barack Obama stated during his visit to Ghana, strong institutions, not strong individuals, are responsible for developing nations and ensuring accountability.”

Addressing journalists at the Northern Region GJA Awards, the GJA President noted that journalism is not just a profession but a calling and commitment to serve the public’s interest.

“We are journalists, not just storytellers; we are guardians of the public’s right to know. We are the watchdogs of democracy.

In a world where misinformation and disinformation threaten the very fabric of our democracy, your work has never been more crucial. Therefore, it is only fair that we celebrate you in such an honorable way as this,” he said.

Mr. Dwumfour said the theme for the awards, “Ensuring Violence-Free Elections: The Role of the Media” could not have been more appropriate, given the fact that the country goes into a crucial election in a few months.

He urged journalists to allow professionalism and high ethical standards to take precedence over their work during the December 7 general election.

“The media must refrain from taking sides, be objective, and contribute their quota in ensuring free and fair elections,” he said.

He encouraged journalists to promote peaceful political discourse, expose hate speech and incitement to violence, provide balanced and impartial coverage, amplify marginalised voices, and investigate and report on electoral malpractices.

“By doing this, you will reduce tensions and prevent conflict, encourage voter participation and engagement, foster a culture of tolerance and respect, support the integrity of the electoral process, ensure accountability and transparency,” he said.

The GJA President, urged journalists to commit to fact-based reporting and steer clear of sensationalism and emotive language.

“We need to give voice to diverse perspectives, collaborate with other media outlets to promote peaceful elections, and above all, hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of journalism.

The GJA believes that together we can make a difference and ensure that our elections are free from violence, intimidation, and manipulation,” the GJA President added.

He announced that the GJA, in preparation for the 2024 elections, signed an MOU with the US Embassy under the “GJA/US Embassy Peaceful Journalistic Discourse, where about 155 journalists were trained nationwide adding that the project’s goal is to promote violence-free and credible elections through well-informed and trained journalists who use best practices for fact-based and non-partisan election reporting.

From Eric Kombat, Tamale

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