Goaso (B/A), Oct. 19, GNA - Mr. Robert Sarfo-Mensah, Member of Parliament for Asunafo North in the Brong-Ahafo Region, has cautioned med= ia practitioners against operating as propagandists for public officials. He expressed regret about the conduct of journalists who had gone contrary to the ethics of their profession and dedicated their time to protecting the image of public officials. Speaking to journalists at Goaso, Mr Sarfo-Mensah said "If this development is not stopped immediately it could adversely affect the coun= try's growing democracy".

He said called for the harnessing of the media for national developm= ent and urged the authorities to allow media practitioners to work freely and responsibly.

Mr Sarfo-Mensah said " Hampering the media in performing its duties has the tendency of bringing back autocratic rule, which will eventually refl= ect negatively on the country's political dispensation". He advised journalists not to downplay the importance of Information=

Communication Technology (ICT), adding that "in this computer era any journalist who is not abreast with ICT cannot perform creditably".