Journalists urged to respect code of ethics

Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Director of Newspapers at the Graphic Communications Group has cautioned the media to take a second look at their reportage by protecting the interest of the people as mandated by the constitution.

He said journalists owe the nation an obligation to hold government accountable and stick to the ethics of the profession, which behold on them to report factually, accurately and in a manner that did not infringe upon the fundamental right of people, particularly minors.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh said this at the Ghana Journalist Association maiden monthly lecture series organised on the topic: “a charge to keep; respecting our code of ethics.”

“It is important to take a look at what we do as journalists, we must protect the interests of the people, that is what the constitution provides, in fact the only group in the constitution that has the right to use the word ‘shall’, we don’t go to anybody to seek mandate, but how do we build trust among the people,” he queried.

He said journalists are at the forefront of social change and advocacy and cannot set an agenda when they followed gossips.

“Whatever we do we must weigh the consequences, we have to save the media freedom provided in our constitution,” he added.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh also condemned radio stations that trivialise serious matters like rape in their news bulletins as well as naming and showing minors faces, saying it is unethical.

“Sometimes the way some radio stations treat women stories is dehumanising and debasing, very very agonising and sometimes victimising the victim twice, it is important we stop that” he said.

He also chastised the way some television and radio stations select panellists on their shows without due recourse to their expertise and knowledge in the subject matter under discussion.

He urged journalists to vigorously stick to the Ghana Journalists Code of Ethics in order to win public trust and serve the society better.