GJA condemns unprofessional practices

Accra, Jan. 28, GNA - The Ghana Journalists Association, on Monday condemned the wilful disregard for ethics on the part of some media practitioners and institutions and urged them to guard against un-professional practices, especially in an election year. A statement signed by Mr Bright Kwame Blewu, General Secretary of the GJA said this would prevent the public from accusing the media of unfair coverage.

The statement in reaction to a publication in the Thursday, January 24, 2008 edition of the Daily Guide newspaper with the front-page story: "Mills in Coma" said the headline was misleading since it was in contravention with Article 17 of the GJA Code of Ethics.

"It is also our view that the publication to some extent intrudes into the privacy and dignity of Professor Atta Mills. The report also undermines the requirement for fair coverage by both the Ghanaian Constitution and The GJA Code of Ethics", the statement added. The statement also said another headline: "Police Raped Me" was again a violation of Article 14 of the GJA code of Ethics, which called on journalists to avoid exposing sexually abused victims. "Regrettably, both the name and to a large extent a poorly masked photograph of the rape victim were provided", it said.