Jake's Fears, the Media's Suspicions

Virtue of His Position As Presidential Affairs Minister As Well As That of Information, Ghana's Media Magnate And the New Patriotic Party (npp) Campaign Strategist Has Found Himself Hurled Into the Arena of Controversy

Jake, a veritable friend of the media in word and in deed, is suddenly under attack for requesting that journalists clear stories on the Yendi tragedy with him before going to press.

Jake's fears are that a little bit of irresponsibility on the part of the media at this time has the potential of worsening the situation.

He also believes that in the current madness and confusion it would be very difficult for either faction to come clean on their actions and inactions on an emotive issue like the Yendi skin controversy.

Because it is the press that constitutes the vehicles for carrying over their arguments, opinions, frustrations and deep-seated feelings to the public and to the world, there is the need for caution, circumspection and wisdom.

In other words, he believes the interests of the nation would better be served by checking and double-checking facts and figures before going on air or rushing into print.

On JOY FM radio yesterday, the Minister literally found himself appealing to the conscience of the press.

The Minister actually went beyond that to state that his Ministry would apply sanctions to any journalist who ignored the appeal and went back putting out information to the general public that later was found to be not only false and malicious but also subversive.

The Chronicle admits that the situation we currently have on our hands is a dicey one and any Minister worth his salt, confronted with such magnitude of an issue with complex security implications, would not be expected to take a liberal stance.

Emergency situations demand emergency solutions and that is why some of us do appreciate the concerns of our press-friendly Minister.

The Chronicle believes there are two sides to the issue here: The journalist who believes in the courage of his convictions about a story he has truthfully and objectively researched and which he believes is in the interest of the public, could run home with his story, damn the consequences.

On the other hand, if the Minister convinces himself that a reporter ignored his warning and intentionally or maliciously puts out a story that is calculated to serve a particular interest, he may be compelled to let the axe fall.

After all, democracy and civil liberties is not only about freedoms; it is also about responsibilities and social cohesion.

Jake may have genuine fears, and journalists may also harbour some suspicions about Jake's moves to slam on the brakes on media coverage regarding the Yendi bloodbath.

At the end of the day the responsibility lies on both the government and the media to work in concert not only to unravel the causes of the bloody mayhem but also ensure that culprits are brought before justice and the causes honestly addressed.