By Patience Tawiah, GNA
Dambai (O/R), Oct. 22, GNA- Journalists and media practitioners have been urged to uphold professional ethics and ensure accurate, responsible and sensitive reporting on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues to promote public trust and informed decision-making.
The call was made during a one-day media workshop in Dambai in the Oti Region, where participants discussed the role of the media in promoting accurate and ethical reporting on sexual and reproductive health organised by the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights, a non-government organisation based in Ghana.
Mr Emmanuel Agbaxode, one of the facilitators during his session, took the participants through on the importance of accuracy, fairness, confidentiality, informed consent, and respect for human dignity when reporting on sensitive SRHR issues.
He also highlighted the responsibility of journalists to provide evidence-based information, challenge misconceptions, and protect the privacy and rights of individuals whose experiences feature in their reports.
Participants examined reporting practices such as sensationalism, misinformation, the use of stigmatising language, invasion of privacy, and the publication of unverified claims, which can undermine public confidence in SRHR information.
The former GJA chairman for both Volta and Oti noted that irresponsible reporting could discourage individuals from seeking essential sexual and reproductive health services and contribute to stigma and discrimination against vulnerable groups.
He therefore encouraged the need to verify information before publication, use appropriate language, and ensure that their reports were balanced, factual, and sensitive to the needs of the communities they serve.
Mr Isaac Nyampong, the Programme Manager, Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights also took the journalists through topics such as overview of SRHR, teenage pregnancy and contraceptives, human rights and comprehensive abortion care, communicating abortion, sexual and gender-based violence, reproductive health education (RHE), service delivery, advocacy and gender-transformative advocacy.
He emphasised on the need for media professionals to amplify credible voices and promote constructive public discussions on sexual and reproductive health while safeguarding the dignity of those affected.
The workshop brought together journalists and media practitioners from print, radio, television, online media, and other platforms for interactive discussions, practical engagements, and experience-sharing on responsible SRHR reporting.
Nana Kwabena Ntow, GJA Chairman for Oti commended the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and their partners for organising the engagement, describing such initiatives as important in strengthening the capacity of journalists to report responsibly on issues affecting individuals, families and communities.
He reiterated that the media’s responsibility extends beyond reporting events to ensure that published information educates the public, influences attitudes positively, and supports informed decision-making.
The journalists were consequently encouraged to uphold the highest professional standards, stressing that public trust depends on integrity, empathy, accuracy, and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah