GHANA NEEDS RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM

When the watchdog becomes like the dog; behaves and act like the dog, it will not be long the watchdog will lose its true value. When those who are to help bring out the truth, themselves become untruthful, then who fights for the venerable and the minority in society?

One institutions which helps promote democratic governance is the media; also known as the fourth estate of the realm. It is the duty of the media to inform, hold leadership accountable; protect the interest of the state and expose violations of the constitution, abuse of power and abuses of the individual rights by political leadership.

A journalist must be seen to be factual, truthful and do justice to all mankind through accurate reportage. With these all individuals can enjoy their rights, without fear of discrimination and possible abuse of their rights, no matter their origin, belief, political affiliation or non-affiliation. However, what we see in Ghana today is this: there are journalist who are ready to go to all length to malign innocent individuals, twist facts or tell blatant lies to suit their own whims and caprices and to satisfy their paymasters.

The most unfortunate is the "party journalists" who are ready to tell blatant lies and defend the undefinable just to make opponents to their “political masters” look bad. Hum, don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with a media house or a journalist believing in a political ideology. In the advanced democracies which we are trying to emulate, media houses endorse parties and presidential candidates, but with principle, applying the tenets of journalism, justice and fairness. For example, Fox News in the US mostly supports the Republican Party, but with principle; making sure they are accurate and putting the national interest first.

Nevertheless, what do we see in Ghana? Journalists and media houses are ready to fabricate or tell outright lies in the name of politics. They are ready to destroy the hard earned reputation of innocent citizens to satisfy their political colours. Worse of all, journalists are ready to paint the country black, telling stories as if nothing good happens in Ghana or as if Ghana is at war, which continue to affect our progress and economic performance due to speculations. Sometimes am thinking; do they know their lies and fabrications affect the image of our country?

What we must all note especially, journalists and media houses is that, when we succeed as a nation, we succeed together, when we fall, we fall together. Journalists must remember the Rwanda example, it took a radio broadcast to put that country on its knees for a long time. So journalists who are excited to say anything, because they have access to microphones, can write or have access to internet must be careful of how they portray our homeland Ghana.

The appeal is: be factual and truthful to sustain the peace and development of Ghana Our Beloved ountry. Remember when you throw a ball against a wall, it will come back to you. #IStandForGhana Remember truth builds a nation, but falsehood destroys the very foundations of nationhood. #IStandForNationalInterest

Moses A. Katamani

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Email: mosbless@gmail.com