Mr. George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), has stressed that newspapers and online publishers must be held accountable for the unethical reporting that occurs on their platforms.
He noted that accountability was essential for media owners to ensure their journalists adhere to high ethical standards.
Mr. Sarpong made the remarks at the launch of a Code of Ethics for members of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in Accra on Thursday.
“The PRINPAG must demonstrate leadership by making sure that the code applies to publishers.
“Journalists and reporters may be subject to this, but the primary focus must be publishers,” Mr. Sarpong said.
Mr. Sarpong said the value of a code of ethics lies in its enforceability for all members, including publishers.
He pointed out that holding publishers accountable for false publications would encourage them to fulll their gatekeeping role and ensure their journalists do not disseminate false information.
“The idea of holding the weak responsible for the crimes of the powerful is becoming too endemic in Ghana and at least as it applies to journalists, it must be reversed,” he said.
Mr. Sarpong proposed additional measures for the successful implementation of the PRINPAG Code of Ethics, suggesting that the Association establish effective enforcement mechanisms and a complaint unit to ensure voluntary
compliance.
He also urged the Association to publicly address and call out members who violate the code.
Mr. Edwin Arthur, President of PRINPAG, expressed appreciation to the MFWA for supporting the production of the code.
He noted that the digital age had brought challenges such as fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, and a code to regulate journalists was necessary., saying that the code would guide the media landscape.
Ama Kodjo, Program Director of DW Akademie, said that the launch of the revised Code of Ethics comes at a crucial time when efforts were being made to safeguard freedom of expression and press freedom.
She said the code’s publication rearmed a commitment to upholding the integrity of journalism.
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