UE Regional Minister challenges Journalists to guard the credibility of the profession
Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga urges journalists to prioritise accuracy, substance and ethics amid the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.
Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has stressed that the credibility of journalism ultimately depends on the credibility and professional integrity of individual journalists.
He said journalists must uphold accuracy, substance and professional ethics in their work, particularly as the rapidly expanding new media landscape increases the risk of misinformation and disinformation.
“Speed must not replace accuracy; sensationalism must not replace substance; and political or commercial interests must never compromise professional ethics. The credibility of journalism rests ultimately on the credibility of the journalist,” he said.
Atanga made the remarks on Friday, September 4, at the launch of the 5th Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Bolgatanga.
He emphasised the need for journalists to subject information to thorough scrutiny before publication, noting that the growing influence of digital and social media makes responsible and well-researched reporting increasingly important.
The Regional Minister also commended the relevance of the theme for the awards, “Beyond the headlines: The media’s role in promoting WASH for safe motherhood and quality healthcare,” describing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as fundamental to public health and human dignity.
He stressed that poor WASH conditions in health facilities could expose patients, particularly women and mothers, to preventable health risks.
“No woman should face preventable infection because a health facility lacks adequate water, sanitation or basic hygiene facilities,” he said.
Atanga further urged journalists to be willing to ask difficult questions and demand satisfactory answers from public officials while assuring the media fraternity of the Regional Coordinating Council’s commitment to constructive engagement, access to relevant information and an enabling environment for journalists to perform their legitimate professional responsibilities.
The Upper East Regional GJA Chairman, Albert Sore, said the theme for the awards was deliberately chosen to encourage journalists to investigate WASH challenges, ask critical questions and contribute to solutions to problems affecting communities.
He noted that WASH is directly connected to health, human dignity and the survival of people, making it an important subject for sustained media attention.
Sore also highlighted some of the challenges confronting the regional GJA in organising the 5th edition of the awards, saying although some sponsors had already expressed interest, additional support was still needed.
“We need a suitable venue. We need support for the awards dinner. We need accommodation for visiting guests. We need award plaques. And, importantly, we need meaningful prizes, cash, equipment or other items that can support the journalistic work of our award winners,” he said.
He appealed to corporate institutions, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) and their Chief Executives, Members of Parliament, businesses, development organisations, traditional authorities, individuals and friends of the media to partner with the GJA to make the awards a success.
According to Sore, sponsorship would provide institutions and businesses with an opportunity to associate their brands with a platform that promotes and recognises excellence in journalism in the Upper East Region.
“Sponsors will have the opportunity to associate their brands and institutions with one of the region’s leading platforms for recognising excellence in journalism,” he added.
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