Freedom without responsibility is in vain – CNG President to the Media

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The chairman of the National Media Commission called on the media to badume their responsibilities in the performance of their duties.

"Freedom without responsibility is futile. At all times, freedom and responsibility must go hand in hand, "Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh told a team of media professionals on Friday. the back of World Press Freedom Day.

World Press Freedom Day

This year's World Press Freedom Day is celebrated in Ethiopia under the theme "Media for Democracy, Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation".

Since the repeal of the Criminal Defamation Act in 2001, the media has expanded remarkably. According to the National Communications Authority, there are 392 active radio stations in Ghana and 128 licensed television operators.

Increased freedom must be balanced with accountability

In his address as chairman of the seminar organized by the Ghana Association of Journalists to mark the day of the press, Ayeboafoh said that the increased freedom of the media should be balanced by the responsibility of the media.

According to him, if the media are fulfilling their responsibilities as they have been trained, they can expect reciprocity from the public who entrusts them with them.

"If we say we are media professionals and the people we work with do not trust, then we will have more impact and meaning in this environment," he said. said at the meeting attended by the president of the GJA, Affail Monney.

Recent disturbances in the media landscape

The recent worrying developments in the media landscape, which have resulted in a drop in Ghana's ranking on the World Press Freedom Index, have revived calls for better protection of practitioners.

This year, Ahmed Hussein Suale, a Tiger Eye PI member, was murdered and New Times Corporation journalists were also physically badaulted by police officers.

According to media activists, these incidents force media owners and government agencies to keep journalists safe as the world celebrates Freedom of the Press Day.

Assume the responsibility of the media

Exposing the concept of media accountability, Mr. Boadu Ayeboafoh said such responsibility should include the training of good contacts for media relations, especially in the electronic media.

"The excessive concentration of political activists in almost every program we conduct, regardless of their competence and ability to understand and appreciate the issues we are discussing, becomes so dysfunctional that the time has come to discourage it," she said. he urged.

One of the mandates entrusted to the media in the constitution is to hold the government accountable to the people of this country. "When we take sides on partisan bases, we not only lose our professionalism, we become people in the eyes of people," he said.

According to Mr. Boadu Ayeboafoh, It is the responsibility of the media to ensure that political leaders do not abandon projects initiated by their predecessors.

Others on the role of the media

Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Dean of the School of Communication of the University of Ghana at Legon, called for a certain level of media outreach to ensure that public office holders are required to responsible for their actions, beyond the declaration of the facts of their management. .

Although she conceded that this might not be easy, some media companies are either politically corrupt or active politicians. She is comforted by the fact that there are objective media companies whose professionalism will balance narrative in the service of the public good. She spoke at Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Friday.

In a message commemorating the day, the National Democratic Congress flag bearer, John Dramani Mahama, said: "On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, I say ayekoo to all journalists and journalists. Urges governments and security agencies to keep their work safe. "

A statement from the government also added: "The Government of Ghana reiterates its commitment to support measures that broaden the boundaries of freedom of expression in promoting our democracy."