Ghanaian media is a two edged sword - Dr Sakara Foster

Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster, Presidential Candidate of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) has described the Ghanaian media as a double edged sword – “power to build and destroy”.

In order to ensure that the media lives up to expectation, Dr Sakara called for adherence to ethical standards within the media and the strengthening of regulatory mechanisms for journalistic practice.

Dr Sakara was contributing to debate on media excesses at the second Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate involving four of Election 2012 Presidential Candidates.

The debate is limited to only Presidential Candidates of political parties with representation in parliament was on the theme: “Upholding Electoral Accountability”.

The CPP Presidential Candidate expressed concern about the many politicians owning media houses and advised young journalist to learn from seasoned journalists.

Mr Hassan Ayariga, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples National Convention, appealed to the media not to sell bad news at the expense of the nation...”.

He also expressed concern about politician owning newspaper which only sees things through the eye of the politician saying “we need newspapers that are not partisan, newspapers that would serve the nations interest”.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party called for a self-regulatory mechanism within the media as an external regulation may be detrimental to freedom of the press.

He called for a review of the mandate of the National Media Commission adding that the media had greater role to play in purging itself, adhere to professional standards and also ensure that State Owned Media does not become propaganda wing of the government.