By Gifty Amofa, GNA
Accra, Sept.16, GNA – Ms Rebecca Ekpe, the Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has urged media practitioners to work within the parameters of the law to avoid legal suits.
Journalists must understand the law, verify information, respect the rights of individuals, and uphold the highest standards of ethical journalism, she said.
Ms Ekpe gave the advice at the opening of a five-day residential training on legal frameworks governing media practice in Ghana and the launch of the Legal Support Fund for journalists, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
Supported by DW Akademie and European Union, the event brought together media personnel from across the country to brainstorm on the legal framework guiding the profession.
She said legal protection must go hand in hand with professional responsibility.
Quoting Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution, she said the media enjoyed strong constitutional protection that gave practitioners freedom to report, investigate and express opinions but also expected them to operate within the parameters, “that is being responsible.”
The GJA Vice President reiterated the need to report responsibly, uphold the constitutional values, hold government accountable, provide fairness and diverging views, respect people’s rights, maintain high journalistic standards as well as correct or give the right reply approximately.
She commended the MFWA for not only offering to equip journalists with practical knowledge on media law, legal risks, digital rights and avenues for redress but also establishing a legal support fund for Ghanaian journalists.
“… It is timely and important as the rights of journalists must be protected in carrying out their duties,” she said.
Fear and intimidation discouraged journalists from doing their work as mandated and with the Fund, there would not only be access to justice but media freedom.
Ms Ekpe suggested that the arms of government should be engaged to appreciate their place in responsible journalism (media literacy, how they frame their stories, and agenda setting).
Dr Kojo Impraim, Programme Director of MFWA, said the training would enable practitioners to know the framework they are working within, their rights and redress mechanisms for safer journalism.
Dr Daniel Kwame Ampofo Adjei, Programme Manager MFWA, giving the overview of the Fund, said eligible applicants must certify that the publication was directly connected to legitimate journalistic standards, the public interest, and having evidence relating to the legal threat.
Ms Ama Kodjo, DW Akademie-Ghana Programme Director, presented the dummy cheque with the face value of GHC544,000.00, and said her institution was committed to helping personnel to work in a safe environment.
Also in attendance were Mr Abdulai Awudu President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), and Mr Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Executive Secretary of the Private Newspapers and Online Publishers Association (PRIMPAG).
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe