Journalists Are Agents of Confusion

A Law Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Kwame Gyan, has criticised the standard and professionalism of the journalism practice in the country. He described journalists as agents of confusion. According to him, journalists across the world, particularly Ghana, were the cause of civil wars, as a result of low standards of professionalism. He noted that journalists continued to demonstrate ignorance in the discharge of their work. He explained that even though journalists were watchdogs, and keep people, especially government officials, on their toes, their reportage, in most cases, do more harm than good. To this, Prof. Gyan appealed journalists to be circumspect in their reportage, particularly on issues relating to national security, in order not to flame passions that would lead to civil war. The Legon Don made the observation at a media workshop on the minerals and mining law, effective, fair and balanced reporting on mining and its operational activities for media practitioners in Koforidua last Friday. It was organised by Newmont Ghana, Akyem project. Speakers at the programme included Ms. Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, former President of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Roland Affail Monney, 1st Vice Chairman GJA, Mr. Joseph Banfo, Executive Director, Land Valuation Board, Mrs. Dela Obeng-Sakyi, and Mr. James Adjei, both from the Minerals Commission. Speaking on the topic, �Expose of the Minerals and Mining Law,� Prof. Gyan intimated that issues that had divided the country in recent times, were not chieftaincy disputes, rather over pieces of lands perceived to be owned by traditional authorities within their respective areas. Making reference to the Bawku conflict, he explained that the conflict was as a result of land issues, and had nothing to do with politics. He stressed that it would be paramount for media practitioners to update themselves on issues of mining, in order to inform and educate the public accurately. On effective, fair and balanced reporting, both Monney and Ms. Yeboah-Afari brought to bear their expertise, as they digested the topic to the understanding of their colleagues present. Ms. Yeboah- Afari, who is now the Co-ordinator and Chairperson of the Editors Forum, Ghana, stressed on the need for journalists to cultivate the attitude of reading, in order to add colour and panache to their reporting.