Minister advises journalists to specialise in disciplines

Sunyani, Jan. 9, GNA - Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister on Thursday urged journalists to specialise in various disciplines to be able to present more meaningful stories to readers and listeners. Speaking at a press soiree at the residence, the Regional Minister noted that, "journalism covers a wide spectrum of subjects and it is important that its practitioners specialise in the discipline one is interested in."

He said this would enable the journalist's reportage on specific national issues like politics, economics, environment and culture to become more meaningful to readers and listeners. He commended journalists in the region for their co-operation with the Regional Co-ordinating Council "in our quest to bring development, peace and stability, particularly to our people in the region and to the country at large."

"Here I want to mention in particular the coverage of development activities in the region and my tour of various districts since my assumption of duty in April 2003 and various security and security-related issues that cropped up in various parts of the region as well as issues of regional and national concern," he said. The Regional Minister however, noted "a few instances when press report on the region negatively affected its image" and asked that such bad cases be investigated thoroughly and all parties interviewed for their sides of the story to be published.

Nana Seinti emphasised that the repeal of the obnoxious criminal libel law by the current government was aimed at removing the fear that journalists faced in their discharge of their duties.

"Your will agree with me that repeal of the law has also open the flood gate for everybody in the country to air his or her view without fear," he added, saying the phone-in programme on the radio station attested to this.

The Regional Minister urged both moderators of FM phone-in programmes and contributors to exercise maximum caution in their comment on national issues that border on security.

He noted that proliferation of the print and the electronic media in the country had also enriched the country's democratic governance. Nana Seinti called on the owners of the print and the electronic media to draw comprehensive training programme for their staff to enable them to perform to the expectation of the public.

The Regional Minister appealed to "our friends of the inky fraternity" to as much as possible to refrain from reportage that could inflame passions.

"You should not write a nor report on stories that cannot be substantiated, especially stories on political parties and personalities who may wish to become politically active and ran for various political positions, Nana Seinti added.

Mr. Charles Koomson, Vice Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association thanked the Regional Minister and the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) for recognising the contributions of journalists in the face of limitations and constraints.

Mr Koomson, who is also the Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency expressed the hope that the RCC, opinion leaders and the people in the region would continue to co-operate and assist the media to promote the development of the region and the country as a whole. He however cautioned journalists to take painstaking steps to produce unblemished report to maintain the enviable status of the profession as the fourth estate of the realm.

"My colleagues must know that the profession is a noble one that demands serious training to be able to perform creditably. We must always be guided by the ethics of the profession so that we do not falter in our tracks," he said.

Mr A.K. Kusi, Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party in a contribution explained that the party did not have any agenda to gag any journalist, newspaper or electronic medium.

"Our doors are always open for clarification on any issue to help discern falsehood from the truth," he added.