Report corrupt journalists - GJA Gen. Sec

The General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, (GJA), Mr. Bright Blewu, has called on the general public to report corrupt journalists to their superiors.

Mr. Blewu said this during an interview on TV3’s current affairs show, National Interest.

The General Secretary was emphatic in admitting that there are corrupt journalists within the rank and file of the GJA, but he was quick to add that they are a reflection of the wider Ghanaian society.

“Journalists are a microcosm of the Ghanaian society, and if we have corrupt Ghanaians, then it is possible to have corrupt journalists.”

He urged the public not to be afraid to report any journalist who attempts to defraud them to their superiors or employers for the appropriate action to be taken.

Mr. Blewu, remarked that journalists are a very important part of the society, and that their contribution is key to democracy and the country’s development.

“If you look at the African continent”, he said, “most of the African countries that are doing well, are those that are practicing press freedom and Ghana is a typical example.”

“No society can do without the press”, he added.

In connection with the forthcoming GJA Awards Night scheduled for Friday August 17, Mr. Blewu said, for the first time the highest number of entries totaling 307 has been received for the various categories of awards.

Pressed to say who is likely to win the highest award of journalist of the year, he said, the awards committee members are the only ones privy to the information and they are keeping their cards close to their chest.

He was grateful to corporate Ghana for sponsoring the various awards.

Answering a question on when a Ghanaian journalist would be awarded a Jaguar during the awards ceremony, he said, “ what is more important is the recognition and not the material item that goes with the award.”