Former President John Agyekum Kufuor says upholding media freedom does not exempt media houses from operating in line with laid down regulations.
Speaking as the guest of honour at the 70th anniversary of the Ghana Journalists Association, the former President, credited with the repeal of Ghana’s Criminal Libel Law, said media freedom in a democratic space does not permit one to operate without limitations.
[contextly_sidebar id=”w5BNUHZh0EOhE3b7bnfl9PnoGqXT0v48″]Mr. Kufuor also charged journalists to uphold the rule of law as mandated by the same Constitution that guarantees their freedom.
“The challenge here is that because the practitioners of journalism are not enjoined to be licenced publicly like many of the other professions, they come to wield a lot of influence and power for shaping the minds of the populace,” he noted.
“Some of your members become susceptible to use the airwaves and other media as tools and weapons to mislead, intimidate, defame and even blackmail individuals and authorities at times.”
But the former President stressed that “media freedom does not mean members of your profession can operate in the media without limitations or rules of engagements.”
He further urged media practitioners to be “well versed in the regular laws of sedition and defamation.”
“It must never be forgotten that the same rule of law defines the state and its organs of government and conduct of its citizens that fixes the interrelationships of all the entities including your association and its practitioners.”
Also at the event, host of the Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Koku Avle, called on journalists in the country to exhibit high levels of professionalism in the course of their duties.
He reminded reporters that they had an obligation to the truth.
“As Bob Woodward puts it; journalism is a discipline of verification. So if it’s not true then its not news… He says put out the best information that is verifiable, if you can’t verify it don’t put it out.”
Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide, also spoke and reiterated the government’s commitment towards respecting press freedom in the country.
He also called on journalists, to be responsible in their reportage.