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Ms. Ajoa Yeboah Afari (left), a board member of Graphic Communications Group Limited, presents a shield to former President John Agyekum Kufuor for his contributions to media freedom at the ceremony. Image: NII MARTEY M. BOTCHWAY
Former President J.A. Kufuor urged the media not to underestimate the freedom of the press as meaning unrestricted practice or rules of engagement.
He noted that since journalists are not required to acquire licenses to practice, some journalists have used their facilities to mislead, intimidate, disrespect, blackmail, slander and quibble individuals and authorities. .
He said that such activities had undermined the people's reputation, ruined state security, destroyed democracy and human rights, and urged practitioners to be knowledgeable about the laws of sedition and human rights. defamation to guide their practice.
President Kufuor made the call yesterday by launching the 70th anniversary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra.
The anniversary, on the theme: "Democracy, Freedom and Media Independence in Ghana: 70 Years of GJA Contribution", will be crowned with the 2019 GJA Awards in November.
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Other activities commemorating this anniversary include the establishment of a GJA Hall of Fame for Outstanding Journalists and a forum to discuss the best way to reposition the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Ghana. News Agency (GNA) to work optimally.
GJA Training
The GJA was created on August 15, 1949 and at the time called the African Press Association.
Over the years, he had worn different nomenclatures, such as the Ghana Press Club and the Association of Journalists and Writers, until his name was finally changed to GJA.
Kufuor Council
Mr. Kufuor said that in the context of the non-professional use of the media by some practitioners, the establishment of an badociation such as the GJA was crucial to help reduce the excesses of men and women of media.
"It should be remembered that it is the same rule of law that defines the state and government bodies, which sets the relationships between all entities, including your badociation and its practitioners, under the jurisdiction of the government. jurisdiction of the state.
"None, including the media, is and should not be above the rule of law.
The people of Ghana, by the Constitution, chose to be governed by a multi-party democracy, the freedom of citizens being guaranteed by the mechanism of control and balance between the organs of government.
The principles of transparency, accountability and probity are at the heart of this mechanism, "he said.
He said the media should be a vanguard of the Constitution and all its intentions.
"The media can not be exempted from the principles of the Constitution," he said.
To excuse when one is wrong
Mr. Kufuor urged the media to exercise their power in a responsible manner so that they do not endanger the peace of the state.
He reminded the GJA of the abuse of media power in Rwanda that resulted in the bloodbath in that country and said that the badociation should monitor its members to make sure that they did not violate the rights of individuals and governments.
He added that the GJA had to apply disciplinary measures against members who violated the rules and regulations and violated the ethics of the profession.
The former president said that as watchdogs in society, media reports about corruption must be made in a fair and accurate manner.
While stressing that the media should do their job without fear or favor, he said, "If, in the performance of your duties, you make a mistake, be bold enough and humble to accept your failings and apologize. for your erroneous statements. This makes you a more credible journalist because the mistake is human. "
Former President Kufuor said that the recent badbadination of Ahmed Suale, a journalist working for Tiger Eye PI, a private investigation group, was a clue to the fact that there was always a danger that threatened there, adding that "the evil forces were trying to resist the media because their evil activities had been brought to light."
He said such unfortunate events should not break the media's resolution, adding that "the light will surely triumph over the darkness".
President of the GJA
GJA President Roland Affail Monney said the GJA has, over the past 70 years, struggled with many challenges, such as persecution by brutal military regimes and other crimes against journalists by "heartless people".
Matthew Therson-Cofie, Ofori-Atta Fraser, Edward Ameyibor, and Kwame Gyawu-Kyem, whom he described as being part of the "Old Testament," said: provided that it has kept the badociation.
He pointed out that two former leaders of the "New Testament" badociation, namely Mr. Kabral Blay-Amihere and Ms. Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, were distinguished by their leadership, which allowed the badociation to regain his present glory.
Mr Monney said that the anniversary of platinum offered journalists an opportunity to gather forces to defend press freedom, stressing that press freedom meant more than the absence of repression.
Praise of President Kufuor
Mr. Monney praised former President Kufuor for repealing the defamation law, donating a building to the GJA, which is currently providing the secretariat, and donating money. 39, a bus to the badociation when he took office as president in 2001.
He said Mr. Kufuor had promoted press freedom when he was in power by "freeing the space of chains that hinder freedom of the media".
He described the former president in different ways: "a president to celebrate, a model to imitate and a democrat to appreciate".
Minister of Information
Vice Minister of Information, Mr. Pius Hadzide, who also spoke at the ceremony, badured journalists of a safe environment to practice in peace.
He urged journalists to be instruments of peace.
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