Stop attacks on journalists(Page 55) August 7, 2008

Story: Michael Donkor
THE President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, has appealed to Ghanaians to desist from attacking journalists who are discharging their legitimate duties.
Referring to the alleged attack on some journalists of Radio Gold by policemen last Tuesday and a reporter of the Daily Guide, the GJA president said anybody who disagreed with the work of a journalist was entitled to seek redress with the National Media Commission (NMC) or issue a rejoinder to that effect.
Mr Tetteh made the appeal when the United Bank of Africa, Ghana (UBA) Limited presented a cheque for GH¢2,500 to support the 13th GJA’s Annual Awards at a ceremony in Accra yesterday.
The amount is in support of the Best Business and Financial Reporter category of the award.
Mr Tetteh urged Ghanaians to endeavour to live in peace and harmony with journalists.
He appealed to journalists to also check, cross-check and check again on their information before they put it across to the public.
Mr Tetteh said journalists also had the responsibility to abide by the ethics of the profession so as to ensure harmony in the society.
He said it was the aim of the GJA to ensure that everybody lived in a peaceful environment.
Mr Tetteh expressed the association’s gratitude to corporate Ghana for supporting to improve the media landscape in the country.
He gave the assurance that the media would not relinquish its role in holding public officers accountable.
The Group Head of Retail and Commercial Banking of the UBA, Mr Charles Odonkor, said the bank held the GJA in high esteem because of its significant role in the country’s democracy.
He said the media had also contributed a lot to the stability of the country, which had made their business to thrive.
Mr Odonkor urged the media to continue with their good works and not to engage in acts that would disrupt the peace of the country.
He pledged the bank’s continued support to the association.