Stop "stomach journalism" - Communications Lecturer

Accra, April, GNA - A lecturer at the School of Communication Studies of the University of Ghana, Dr Kwasi Ansu Kyeremeh, on Tuesday called for an end to "stomach journalism."

He said some journalists bend the rules and ethics governing their profession and write or publish stories under certain influences to achieve undesirable results and to please others.

Dr Kyeremah was delivering a lecture as part of activities to mark the 39th graduation of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) in Accra. He said the unique position of journalists and the crucial role they play in society go with credibility, innovation and a high sense of professionalism and creativity.

Journalists must stop being messengers of public and influential officials. The must also stop their top-down approach to reporting adding that "journalism of inferiority amounts to self censorship."

He noted that arrogant governments, dictatorship, controls and censorship, court judgements and litigation have rendered some journalists ineffective. Dr Kyeremeh called for the institution of measures to protect journalists from negative influences.

He said the nature of the profession demands a high level of discipline, knowledge and courage and suggested that editors of media houses and reporters be trained in modern journalism techniques to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Dr Kyeremeh said with the advent of the computer age and the information super highway journalists and editors must be computer literate. He cautioned against blind copying of materials from the INTERNET by journalists and called for analysis of such material.

Mr K. B. Asante, a retired Diplomat and Chairman of the GIJ Board suggested the introduction of local languages in Ghanaian journalism.