The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has declared 2018 as the year of re-awakening for journalists in the country, assuring Ghanaians of the media’s dedication to playing its watchdog role with the utmost responsibility.
While admitting that 2017 was a challenging moment for the Association, it said the media is poised to hold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the citizenry as enshrined in the country’s constitution.
A statement issued by the President of the GJA, Affail Monney to usher in the New Year however cautioned journalist to ensure “utmost responsibility” in in discharging its watchdog role as per the constitution.
“We hope in the coming year [2018], the media will do better in the discharge of their job as champions of national development,” it said.
It has accordingly reiterated its call to the executive and parliament “to work assiduously to ensure the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) and Broadcasting bills in 2018”.
The passage of the bills into laws, the GJA indicated, would promote professionalism in the media and also strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.
“We urge political actors in particular to be re-awakened to their common aspiration of improving the wellbeing of Ghanaians and deepening the country’s fledgling democracy,” the Association pleaded.
It underscored the need for political actors to always place national interest above personal interest and appreciate the fact that “political office is a call to serve, not to swerve, the national interest.”
The GJA urged political actors to see the media as partners, not enemies, stating, “they must stretch to the media a helpful hand and never a hurtful hand.
“The era of assault and brutality by political actors against the media must give way to an era of respect for the rule of law and human dignity between the two institutions in 2018 to help move the country forward,” it urged.
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