The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, William Jalulah, has called on media houses and practitioners in the region to endeavour to exercise a high sense of circumspection in their reportage concerning conflict.
He notes that the conflict in Bawku is taking a toll on lives and livelihoods in that area and the entire region.
According to Mr. Jalulah, successfully maintaining peace in the region requires a collective responsibility which should see the media play a critical role which should include being responsible and circumspect.
“The Bawku conflict has so many complex dimensions to it and in reporting on it, the media must be very circumspect in order not to inflame passion and exacerbate the situation.
That’s why our role as journalists is very critical, we must know what we report on and how to report it. Our role as journalists is to bring about development and in the midst of protracted conflicts like the one we have in Bawku, there can be no development”.
Speaking Friday at the regional GJA awards ceremony, the regional chairman notes that the conflict in Bawku has become a major concern which should be given the needed attention.
He disclosed that some media houses have been cautioned by the National Media Commission (MMC) for engaging in activities that fell short of high journalistic standards.
It is therefore, his desire that media houses and practitioners in the region will endeavour to discharge their duties with a high sense of professionalism.
“I must commend journalists especially those in the mainstream media in the region for their circumspection on how they have reported on the conflict so far”.
He continued, “However, we had had instances where the National Media Commission had to sanction some media practitioners and their radio stations in the Bawku area for erring in their line of duty. As journalists or media practitioners, we must be very responsible in the line of duty so as to avoid misleading reportage”.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, in gracing the occasion made similar calls for the media to help in promoting peace in the region.
The 2022 Upper East Regional GJA Awards was held in partnership with the main sponsor – the SHARE Project being implemented by Right to Play, FAWE, FHI 360 and WaterAid Ghana with sponsorship from Global Affairs Canada.
Other organizations that supported this year’s event are Afrikids Ghana, Earl International Group (Ghana) Gold Mining Ltd, MTN Ghana, Silas Amoah Foundation, Endswell Pharmacy, Youth Harvest Foundation, VRA/NEDCO, Widows and Orphans Movement, Participatory Action for Rural Development Alternatives (PARDA), Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly.
