Kwesi Pratt, the Managing Editor of The Insight, delivered a powerful address at the 77th anniversary symposium of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, urging media organizations and journalists to reconsider their focus solely on attention-grabbing narratives. He argued that journalism’s primary duty isn’t merely to generate controversy, but to serve the public’s genuine needs – a concept he emphasized with urgency. ‘The journalist’s task isn’t simply to maximize attention, but to determine what the public truly requires,’ Pratt stated, a sentiment echoing a growing concern within the media landscape. He cautioned against prioritizing speed over accuracy in the digital age, highlighting the vulnerability of online content to disruption. ‘A journalist can be the first to publish a story and still be wrong, while another can achieve more impactful coverage,’ he noted. Mr Pratt stressed the shift from information access to verifying truth within an increasingly saturated environment, a challenge he described as crucial for maintaining credibility. The five pillars of media credibility – accuracy, verification, fairness, courage, and investigative scrutiny – formed the cornerstone of his argument. He underscored that the GJA’s legacy of holding government accountable through the 1992 Constitution – guaranteeing freedom and independence – was a foundation upon which the profession must build. ‘Press freedom without responsibility can become reckless,’ Pratt warned, emphasizing the critical need for professional standards to mitigate potential abuses. He also questioned the influence of ownership, financing, advertising, and political affiliations, asserting that simply allocating social media followers as criteria for employment undermined professional judgment. ‘I know some television stations you don’t get employed as a presenter if you don’t have a certain number of followers on Facebook,’ Pratt pointed out, highlighting the practical reality of employment pressures. ‘That’s an affront to all our standards and they should bow their heads in shame,’ he concluded, advocating for a renewed commitment to professional standards and responsible reporting. He further urged media institutions to reassess representation, observing that coverage disproportionately featured state officials and corporate executives, neglecting crucial segments of society – farmers, market women, and marginalized communities – often receiving inadequate attention. ‘These people are not mere background figures to the national story,’ Pratt emphasized. He called for a return to the responsibility to listen and not merely the ability to speak, urging journalists to prioritize citizen voices and engagement. ‘Journalists must pay greater attention to citizens who did not hold press conferences and whose experiences are often reduced to economic statistics,’ Pratt stated, stressing the importance of a truly democratic and engaged public sphere. He proposed that the GJA leadership must actively work toward the recovery of the institution’s credibility, strengthening it through professional development, guidance, and protection. ‘The association must be a source of professional development, guidance, and protection,’ he stated, stressing the importance of supporting journalists in navigating digital challenges and AI. He concluded by stressing the need for a revitalized commitment to ethics, recognizing that journalism must prioritize professional standards as the foundation for a credible and vital public discourse. The GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, echoed this sentiment, calling for mutual commitment between journalists and leadership to safeguard the institution’s credibility. Dwumfour highlighted the GJA’s crucial role in defending press freedom, advocating for journalists to work without fear and ensuring accountability for legitimate journalism. He also underscored the association’s duty to strengthen itself for the next generation, recognizing the significant challenges posed by digital media and artificial intelligence. He stated that the GJA leadership must embrace ethics as the association navigates these challenges, emphasizing that responsibility ‘must work both ways.’
Watch Related Video
Source: Graphic Online
