Media Must Give Government a Fair Hearing

The Minister for Information and Presidential Affairs, Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, has urged the media to accord government a fair opportunity to react to media reports, including those critical of the Kufuor administration.

"We hope you would afford us a fair opportunity to react to issues, within the acceptable limits of the current democratic culture."

Jake made this appeal to the management and staff of the Chronicle when he paid a courtesy call at the office of the paper yesterday.

He expressed the NPP government's vision for helping to develop a strong and independent media that could be true partners with government in nation building efforts.

He, however, noted that such a vision would not be at the expense of the need for the media to play its watchdog role over government.

The former advertising mogul praised the Ghanaian media for its role in the democratic evolution of the country, noting that the government sees the media as an ally in ensuring the growth of democracy and better standards of living for Ghanaians.

The Kufuor administration would, therefore, do everything within its power to ensure an efficient and effective media, he noted.

He said this would be in line with government efforts to strengthen the various arms of government.

"In the same way we are hoping to strengthen the Judiciary and the Legislature, we'll be looking at ways to strengthen the media."

He urged media personnel not to shy away from contacting his ministry for verifications on information available to them.

Nana Kofi Coomson, Publisher of the Chronicle, took the opportunity to remind government that though the media is ready to assist in the development of the country, the fourth estate of the realm should not be viewed as part of the Executive.

"It must be made clear that we are not part of government but part of the larger society that is bent on ensuring the growth of an effective and efficient democracy."

He reminded the Information Minister of the numerous problems facing the private press and appealed for government assistance in helping the media industry grow.

He specifically cited the low number of adverts in the private media as a worry to most publishers and noted that the media merits assistance from government, since it is a major contributor to the country's evolving democracy.

He said though the Chronicle is ahead of the other private newspapers in terms of advertising revenue, it is still behind the state press, some of which are nowhere near the paper in terms of circulation.

He expressed regret at the lack of assistance from government, noting that it is unfortunate that "government appears not to be creating the opportunity for the development of the private media."

He expressed the gratitude of the newspaper for the visit and noted that it is a shining example of how government should relate to the media.

Coomson also noted that the visit was the first by an official of the Kufuor administration to the paper and expressed the hope that it would lead to good working relations between the Chronicle and the Ministry of Information.