![Be agents of social change, journalists urged](https://ghananewsagency.org/assets/images/bolgatanga-journalists---change.jpg)
By Anthony Apubeo, GNA
Bolgatanga, Dec 16, GNA – Mr Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, has urged Ghanaian journalists to act as agents of social change to unearth the ills in society while promoting peace and sustainable national development.
“The media must be used to educate, entertain and correct the ills in society,” he added: “Radio morning discussions and newspaper headlines should be preceded by messages of motivation, peace and national cohesion among others.”
“Chieftaincy and land matters should be discussed devoid of ethnic bigotry and sensationalism.”
Mr Kpemka, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tempane Constituency, made the call at the first ever Upper East Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association awards held in Bolgatanga on the theme: “Sustaining the peace in the Upper East Region, the role of the media.”
While advising journalists to avoid sensational reportage, he said the jurisdiction of the media under the present constitutional arrangement wielded power, which could ignite mayhem, destroy or promote accelerated nation building.
“I know in discharging your duties you will definitely encounter challenges and frustrations, but that is no excuse to be sensational. Do not use your power to settle scores, do not use journalism and the media to worship yourselves,” he stressed.
He, therefore, urged journalists to be professional, responsible and commit their resources and time to deliver reports that would shape the country’s development agenda and ensure peaceful coexistence.
“I urge all of you to be masters of social change, advocates of development and agents of Upper East rising in the horizon. Help to build Upper East, help to build Ghana, help to sustain peace, help to maintain unity and help to keep our region and nation at large together,” he said.
“Do not make the innocent guilty and do not make the guilty innocent for as the legal dictum goes, it is better for 99 persons to be spared than for one innocent soul to be convicted.”
Mr Affail Monney, the GJA President, described the theme for the awards as “an act of perfect timing as the country is going to the polls next year,” and said it was imperative for media practitioners to shape and respond to the expectations of the public and the international community.
He called for concerted efforts from “all journalists” to till their reportage towards nonviolence stories to avoid media induced violence that would retard development.
Mr Eric Kwadjo Amoh, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the GJA, also called on journalists to be circumspect in their reportage and ensure that news stories have the potential of contributing towards resolving long-standing chieftaincy disputes and promote development.
In all, nine journalists from different news outlets were awarded in various categories of news reporting, which covered environment, business and finance, sanitation, human rights, investigations, tourism, disability and sports.
Mrs Fatima Anafu-Astanga of GNA, received Best Environment and Sanitation and Best Business and Financial awards, while Mr Godfred Polkuu, also from GNA was adjudged most promising journalist with Mr Anthony Adongo Apubeo (GNA) recognised as the Best Child Rights reporter.
The rest of the awardees included; Joshua Asaah, A1 Radio, best Agriculture reporter, Stephen Ngamegbulam Chidozie A1 Radio, best Human Rights, Albert Sore, Joynews, best Investigative reporter, Isaac Asare GBC, best health reporter and best domestic tourism reporter, Senyalah Castro, Ghanaweb/Atink media, best gender and disability reporter and Nelson Abagna (GBC), best sports reporter.
Ura Radio (GBC) was adjudged the best radio station of the year, while Tanga Radio took home best social radio programme of the year.
GNA
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