‘Journalist role is critical in sa
Story by: Ishmael Barfi
As Ghana prepares for her next Presidential and Parliamentary elections next year, 2024, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Jean Mensa has emphasized the critical role of media practitioners in safeguarding the nation’s democratic and national security.
According to her, the role of a journalist is of great importance in the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections next year 2024.
“It behooves media practitioners to be responsible in the discharge of their duties during the period to safeguard the nation’s democracy and national security”, she reiterated.
She made these assertions while delivering the keynote address at the 27th edition of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held on 29th October 2024 at the International Conference Centre in Accra.
This year’s Awards ceremony was under the theme: “Leveraging Media Freedom to Sustain the Democratic and Security Architecture: The Litmus Test of Election 2024.”
Outlining the importance of authenticity and credibility from journalists, she noted that, “the exercise of your power and freedom in the lead-up to the 2024 election could potentially make or break our nation’s cohesion. This is a sobering truth.”
Adding, “Therefore, your commitment to ensuring the peace and security of our country as we go to the polls in December 2024, should go beyond mere rhetoric to practicing responsible journalism,” she said on Sunday.
Madam Mensa further highlighted the significance of the 2024 election.
Journalist of the Year 2023 Erastus Asare Donkor displaying his Plaque whiles GJA President with other dignitaries looks
In her view, since it involves an open contest with no incumbent seeking re-election, the stakes are high adding that “the 2024 elections will be more than a democratic exercise, it will be a test of our nation’s resilience.”
It is on the back of this that she asked journalists to be circumspect in their coverage.
She acknowledged that journalists possess the power to reach the ears, eyes, and hearts of the citizenry and are a stone’s throw from millions of homes across the country. Thus, it is of utmost importance for journalists to be aware of the delicate balance required between media freedom, democracy, and national security.
Madam Mensa emphasized the weight of responsibility that journalists carry, describing them as the Fourth Estate, not merely a facet of the nation’s democracy, but its bedrock.
“You’re the beacon of truth, you’re the guidance of transparency, and you’re the vanguards of freedom and catalyst for informing and shaping public debate. With your role and the nation’s support and protection comes great responsibility.
On his part, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour indicated that this year’s theme was carefully chosen to highlight the imperative of media freedom to the sustenance of the country’s fledgling democracy, promotion of national security, maintenance of peace and the enhancement of national development”.
Adding, ” In that regard, we have chosen Elections 2024 as the case study. Discerning political watchers do not need a magnifying lens to lead the bold headline on the wall that elections 2024 will be crucial, whether it is about ‘Breaking The Eight’, or ‘Comeback’ or ‘Show Down’, the media have a cardinal duty to ensure that Elections 2024 will not break down the country and that, we will come out of it better, stronger and more united as a nation”.
Meanwhile, the GJA President encouraged his colleague journalists never to be intimated by attacks on media freedom; rather, they should be encouraged by their overriding duty to serve the public interest at all times.
“Our profession is not for timorous souls and nothing whatsoever should convert us into such weaklings”.
In all, 31 awards were presented on the night, with the Multimedia Group picking multiple awards including the overall journalist of the year.
Erastus Asare Donkor of Joy News, Joy FM, and Luv FM won the covetous award with his works on the devastating effects of illegal mining that have ignited national conversations.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
