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President of the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA), Mr Affail Monney has lambasted the media for the kind of reportage and coverage they gave to the June 3 floods and fire that hit Ghana.

He said the kind of coverage violated Article 16 of the GJA code of ethics, which states that “in case of personal grief or distress, journalists should exercise tact and diplomacy in seeking information and publishing.”

He made this assertion during the inauguration of the 20th GJA awards committee and exhibition of the entries received for the awards at the Ghana International Press Centre yesterday.

He called on the media to be circumspect in their reportage on such issues and also be sensitive to the plight of the affected victims and their families.

The president noted that the 20th awards ceremony, scheduled for August 15, 2015, also coincides with the 66th anniversary of the GJA.

He said the constitution of the GJA entreats the association to organise the awards scheme regularly.

He said the awards serves as a platform to measure the level of journalism standards in the country and also serves as a motivation for other journalists in the country.

He called for private-public partnership for media development in the country, adding that the media cannot compromise on their watchdog role, as well as being the voice of the voiceless.

Mr Monney charged members of the committee to be transparent so as to uphold the level of integrity the awards have achieved over the years.

Members of the committee are Ms Janet Carboo, Joe Aggrey, Alhaji Razak El-Alawa, Ms Roberta Gardiner, Francis Kokutse, Mr Kosi Kpodo, Mr George Bosompim, Kweku Sersah-Johnson, Zakariah Tanko Musah, Prof Kwame Karikari, Ms Monica Bleboo and Ms Vicky Wireko Andoh.

Ms Roberta Gardiner, who spoke on behalf of the committee, thanked the executives of the GJA for the confidence and trust reposed in them.

She said the committee will be as transparent as possible and also work in accordance with the GJA code of ethics.