A recent allegation of the bribery of certain journalist in the media has caused the GJA to decide to take drastic action against anyone found culpable. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has requested the National Media Commission to probe how a deputy minister allegedly promised to give financial rewards to some journalists.
An alleged secret tape recording making the rounds in the media, is supposed to capture Deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal assuring cash and cars for some journalists in the Upper East region if they did government’s request.
The NPP is held a press conference Thursday morning over the issue.
Preceding the press conference, the party’s Communications Director, Nana Akomea told Joy News the NMC must take the matter up to avert government from influencing the media.
“This is the government itself which is conducting this bribery so the government will not be keen on investigating itself so the media commission should be able to take up some kind of investigation because it’s a very serious matter,” he said.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has also warned it would dismiss any member found guilty of involvement in alleged attempts by government to offer them cash to influence their work.
Meanwhile Babal Jamal has denied the allegations and the voice on the tape and has threatened he might seek redress in court.
The GJA Vice President Affail Monney expressed her worry about the developments.
“What is unfolding has serious implications for the media, serious implication for our democracy, and serious implication for governance.”
The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the GJA is investigating the matter, and any member found culpable will not be spared. Mr. Monney said.
“This is a very serious issue, again, if it is proved right, what our position spelt out is expulsion".
“Because journalist has only one thing to rely on and that is his or her integrity. Once this integrity is punctured, once this integrity is brought into question we have no option than to apply the highest sanction in our constitution, that is expulsion.”
By: Kojo Bodiatus Kankam for Ghana Politics
No comments:
Post a Comment