GJA Wants Qualitative Journalism

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mrs. Gifty Affenyi- Dadzie, says the Association is determined to carry out measures that will compel members to show greater commitment to qualitative journalism.

In a New Year message to journalists, she said all processes that require members to respect the GJA code of ethics will be strengthened.

"The GJA particularly expects members, media practitioners and the general public to give greater cooperation to its independent Ethics Committee to enable it carry out its work as the "self-regulatory" body of the profession."

The GJA said it has noted the situation, where some individuals have misconstrued growing media assertiveness to be media dictatorship. "While rejecting the notion of media dictatorship, the GJA recognizes the importance of fairness, objectivity and tolerance on the part of media practitioners and will do all it can to promote media civility and responsibility."

The GJA recalled the role played by the media in ensuring peaceful, free and fair elections and saluted all media personnel who carried out that historic task.

The Association was pleased that Ghanaians have continued to show that they cherish freedom of speech and expression and are determined to make it a permanent feature of their democratic culture.

The GJA reminded journalists of their constitutional mandate to hold Government and all public holders accountable to the people of Ghana, and stressed the need for that mandate to be carried out responsibly.