Accra, June 3, GNA - The National Media Commission (NMC) on Thursday reminded journalists and media owners of their statutory obligation to protect and defend press freedom in the country. Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, NMC Chairman, noted even though the 1992 Constitution guaranteed the freedom and independence of the media, "it was attained through pain, death and sacrifices".

"We can lose this constitutional right through careless, unprofessional and unethical journalistic practices.examples abound in some African Countries where laws have been enacted to curtail press freedom," he added. Mr Blay-Amihere stated this at a day's seminar organised by the NMC for owners and editors of newspapers where certificates of registration were presented to 50 newspapers and magazines in Accra. The seminar was under the theme: "The Role of Private Media in Ghana's Democracy; Responsible Journalism, Media Accountability and Standard". He noted that the constitution specifically enjoined that there should be no impediments to the establishment of private press or media and in particular, "we need to be responsible in our practices". The NMC Chairman tasked editors and publishers of newspapers and other institutions in the mass media to strictly adhere to ethics of responsible journalism.

He reminded media practitioners to be guarded by the code of ethics of the profession."journalism is a great profession that allows individual to influence society and it is wrong for a journalist to walk under the cloak and control of personalities instead of serving the public interest". Mr Ransford Tetteh, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), expressed concern about the over emphasis on political stories to the detriment of social-economic issues.

"Politics is essential, but more vital are the issues of bread and butter; developmental issues, environmental, and other issues that affect our daily life," he said.

Mr Tetteh stressed the need for improvement in journalistic standards."we should use the proliferation of the media to develop the nation". He noted that the growing disregard and disrespect by some journalists for the ethics of journalism in the country was unacceptable; "the disturbing trends, constitute a threat to press freedom with the potential of greatly undermining the integrity and credibility of the media".