Apply rule of law to address media excesses – PRINPAG tells public

President of the Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), Andrews Edwin Arthur, has urged the public to resort to the law in addressing grievances against the media.

His comment comes on the back of recent attacks and directives to some journalists and media houses, particularly from traditional authorities, seeking to suspend operations of such media houses.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected executives of the Association in Accra, the PRINPAG President indicated that such attacks were an affront to Ghana’s freedom of speech.

Mr Edwin Arthur further noted that as with any other human institution, the media were prone to mistakes and excesses. He, however, stated that the use of the law must be resorted to, to express one’s disapproval.

“It is said that a bad press is better than none at all, and as a human institution, the media are prone to errors and excesses but when that happens, we should express our disapproval using the basic tenets of the rule of law to deal with the situation,” he urged.

Mr Edwin Arthur also bemoaned what he described as “reckless and unprofessional” conduct of some media practitioners in the discharge of their mandate, adding “it was preventing the media from asserting its influence and in particular, dwindling patronage of newspapers”.

To this end, he entreated media practitioners to be disciplined and circumspect in the discharge of their mandate.

Ready to serve

He reaffirmed the resolve of the executives to serve the Association for the betterment of all members.

He disclosed that plans were far advanced to intensify engagement with some state institutions, including the National Petroleum Authority, National Lottery Authority, and COCOBOD to ensure fair distribution of adverts for its members.

“In this second term, we will focus on business development of our members as well as securing scholarships and fellowship programmes for them to help build their professional capacity and to also enhance their knowledge-base,” he said.

The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Yaw-Boadu Ayeboafoh, encouraged the new executives to eschew all forms of animosity and forge ahead with unity to better the welfare of all. “If you are going to consider only those who voted for you then you are going to fail,” he warned.

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, reminded them of the enormous task ahead and urged journalists to keep up the good work and continue to adhere to the ethics of the profession.

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfour, also admonished the media to continue to hold public institutions accountable to deepen the country’s democracy.

“The GJA will collaborate with PRINPAG to train journalists in the country to adapt to changing phases of journalism and communication. This will ensure fact-based journalism which will help the country develop,” he said.