[ad_1]
General News for Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Source: GNA
2020-05-05
Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei and Affail Monney
Click to read all about the coronavirus →
Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, Deputy Minister of Information, praised the impeccable role that the media is playing in informing, educating and sensitizing Ghanaians about the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that from time to time the media mandate to inform people was being tested as they face new challenges to the world; and added that since January, the COVID-19 pandemic had once again revealed the key role of a free press to tackle social problems.
Speaking Monday at the flag-raising ceremony to mark World Press Freedom Day in Accra, Madam Asiamah-Adjei said it was worth praising the continued media education on observing security protocols, the coverage of national updates and case management features.
“The good people of this country appreciate your sacrifices.” The event, organized by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in collaboration with UNESCO, had as its theme: “Journalism without fear or favor”.
The annual celebration held on Sunday, May 3, serves as an occasion to inform citizens about violations of press freedom.
In 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day, following a recommendation adopted at the 26th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 1991.
The Vice Minister said that COVID-19 was also having a huge impact on the global and Ghanaian economies.
He recalled that on March 30, in a statement to Parliament, the Minister of Finance said that the preliminary analysis indicates a decrease of between 2.6% and 1.5% in the growth of gross domestic product (GDP) in the event of a partial blockade.
He said that, knowing the net effect of the decrease in GDP growth of the real sector, the impact on the economy will surely be enormous and will affect the generation of income by the State.
“You cannot speak about the devastating effect of the pandemic without touching its impact in the media,” he said.
“We recognize that the media business is a high contact commitment. From the processes of content production and news gathering to marketing, promotion and sales. “
Ms. Asiamah-Adjei said that the impact of COVID-19 on the media industry was being reviewed by the Government and would be addressed within the broader Government Economic Response Program to be announced later.
She said that in this competitive environment of journalism, the public, who were the main stakeholders of the media, were the best judges and would judge them for their work and production.
“Therefore, we should not be swayed by invitations to sensationalism, the use of intemperate language, or the desire to force our personal opinions down everyone’s throat.”
Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, UNESCO Country Representative in Ghana: “UNESCO believes that a free and independent press is essential at all times, but it is particularly important during a health crisis such as the one we are currently experiencing.”
“At a time when many are seeking information primarily online, the role of professional journalists is to help classify the flow and provide the necessary guidance. However, it is important to help the media and journalists to report the crisis effectively and safely, and to promote critical thinking to limit the spread of rumors and disinformation. “
Affail Monney, president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), said the theme of the celebration reinforces the point that journalism was not a profession for shy souls, but for brave and uncompromising characters.
He said this tough and indomitable streak allows some prominent journalists to speak faithfully to power, expose acts of corruption and hold the powerful accountable. He said: “Freedom of the press is a freedom and not a license: freedom to act and not license to destroy. Criminals must take note and repent.”
He reiterated the indispensable role that the media plays in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, President of the National Media Commission (NMC), warned journalists not to allow themselves to be used as conduits for the spread of false news.
Send your news to
and through WhatsApp in +233 55 2699625.
