Government Deploys RTI Roadmap for Implementation of New Law – Pius Hadzide

General News of Saturday, May 4, 2019

Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

2019-05-04

The Ministry of Information has begun consultations for the development of the road map for the implementation of the Right to Information Act.

Deputy Minister of Information Pius Enam Hadzide said the consultations were aimed at gathering input from stakeholders, including journalists, on how the recently adopted law could help liberalize the country's political economy. media space and to create an environment conducive to the practice of journalism.

He was speaking at the celebration of World Press Freedom Day this year by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra.

It was on the theme "Media for Democracy: Journalism and Election in Times of Misinformation".

Mr. Hadzide reaffirmed the government's determination to deepen the boundaries of quality journalism as a partner in the fight against social ills, including corruption and immorality in public service, environmental degradation, illegal mining and the promotion of democracy.

In this regard, he stated that the Government is implementing a media capacity building program to strengthen the capacity of Ghanaian journalists to inform, educate and entertain the public.

In addition, a national coordinating mechanism for the safety of journalists will be established by July this year to ensure the safety of journalists throughout the country and support efforts to counter growing attacks against journalists. journalists in the country, said the deputy minister.

On behalf of the government, he condemned the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale at the beginning of the year, adding that "even the allegation of ethical bankruptcy and professional mediocrity can not justify an attack of any kind whatsoever. is".

He urged the police to do everything in their power to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of Suale's grisly murder.

Faced with false news and misinformation, facilitated by technology and various social media platforms, Hadzide urged journalists to avoid sensationalism and stay balanced in their reporting.

"Technology has allowed citizens to actively share information. Unfortunately, this citizen journalism has been used to peddle misinformation. As professional journalists, we must avoid sensationalism to the detriment of precision. We can not sacrifice a balanced report on the altar of opportunity and get ahead of the market, "he added.

GJA President Roland Affail Monney said the event was an opportunity to synergize efforts and find ways to combat impunity that has provoked attacks and threats against people. journalists in the country.

He condemned the threats and robbery of Starr FM's Bolgatanga journalist, Edward Adeti, whose investigative work resulted in the resignation of the state's president, Rockson Bukari.

To avoid the repetition of another fatal attack against a journalist, he urged security agencies to provide all the protection needed to protect his life, his family and his property.

Mr Monney congratulated the journalist for rejecting any form of incitement to stifle history and advised other journalists to imitate such good works to help him. building a country free of corruption.

The GJA, he said, would introduce ethics training programs to complement government initiatives to strengthen the capacity of journalists to tackle the problem of ethics. work in the media.

"The mission of the GJA is to rethink journalism. We want to mobilize to fight against dirt and other social threats, "he added.

Deputy Police Commissioner (ACP), David Eklu, Director General of Ghana's Police Public Affairs Department, urged badaulted journalists to report to the police for prosecution and to dismiss the settlement agreement amicably. .

He added that any violation against journalists was also contrary to the country's democracy, that police and other security agencies are to protect and defend.

Eklu ACP said that the police administration would establish a framework to guide the relations between the police and the media with respect to law and order and media activities.

Roberto Quiroz II, public affairs officer at the United States Embbady in Ghana, said the United States considered press freedom a key element of democratic governance, saying the country was determined to Empowering Ghanaian journalists through various capacity building programs to contribute to the development of Ghana Agenda.