Veep Lashes Out At Journalists On Wikileaks
The Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has criticised some journalists for the manner they have used the WeakiLeaks reports to attack and vilify perceived political opponents.
He said the recent WikiLeaks cables had accentuated the media warfare and put the discussion of pressing national issues to the background, saying that, “nothing in this country matters anymore”.
“Reprinting the judicious gossips from the US Embassy cables provides the media that is already polarised on partisan lines with enough ammunition and fire power to pound one’s opponent for the rest of the year,” he said.
Mr Mahama was speaking at the 16th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra Friday. It was held on the theme: “Giving Impetus to Democracy and Development in Africa: The Role of the Investigative Journalist”.
Mr Mahama said the US Embassy cables were meant to be confidential, and indicated that if it had remained so, there would have been no problem.
Unfortunately, he said, one Julian Assange and his WeakiLeaks organisation had opened the big pandora box not only about Ghana but the rest of the globe.
“It has its positive sides, because the work of the diplomats in accessing information would be difficult because many would be more careful in accepting their cocktail invitation, but even if they do, they would not be in a hurry to open their mouths as was previously the case,” he said.
The Vice-President said a cursory look at the country’s media landscape showed us as a country at war and stressed that “radio stations and newspapers are lined up in the political trenches with their political allies and pay masters throwing printed and verbal grenades and taking hot shots at enemy lines”.
Another development, he said, was the fabrication of malicious rumour and often libellous reports, idle gossips and absolute downright lies and concoctions in the media, especially on the Internet.
For instance, Mr Mahama said, he was reported to have beaten or fought with the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Bagbin, who happened to be his friend and colleague in Parliament.
He was also reported to have pulled a gun on former President Rawlings in his office although he did not have a gun and did not know how to use one.
He said one was often advised to ignore such rumours because they were part of the occupational hazards, but expressed worry that “we are in a nation where the mantra is there is no smoke without fire or book no lie”.
“The politics of insults and personality vilification appear to be overcoming us. Comments from individuals in the public, including those of serial callers who are sympathisers of political parties do not augur well for our democratic maturity,” the Vice-President said.
He said all insults and personality vilification were accentuated by the high stakes in the nation’s politics, and indicated that the “all die be die” syndrome and the lack of tolerance in the political discourse sadly reflected in the media and posed a major threat to the country’s democratic consolidation.
The Vice-President noted that in the pre-independence era, the private media was considered a partner in the fight for liberation from colonial rule, while in the post- independence period, the role of the media was to help promote the unity and integration of the newly independent African nations.
He said now in the 21st Century, the media was supposed to set the agenda for national development and cohesion by assuming their role as educators, historians, social motivators and entertainers.
He, therefore, urged journalists to focus on investigative journalism which involved probing issues of public interest in order to produce outcomes to influence public policies for the common good.
He congratulated the award winners and expressed the hope that it would spur them and other journalists on to do more to promote peace and development in the country.
The Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologu, said the media had done their best in contributing to the democratic growth and development of the country, but indicated that there were some lapses which had the potential to divide the country.
He urged the media to put in extra effort and responsibility in the coverage of the 2012 elections to maintain peace and keep Ghana image as a beacon of democracy intact.
The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, said the expanded media landscape of over 200 authorised FM radio stations, 12 television stations and several newspapers and the unrestricted access to the social media was a reflection and fulfillment of Ghana unique 1992 Constitution that granted the media and every Ghanaian the right to free speech.
He said there was a call that nobody should be allowed to practice journalism in the country unless the person had a degree in journalism, and said such a move would be a violation and infringement of the right to free press and free speech as provided for in the 1992 Constitution and indeed throw many fine media practitioners out of business.
Earlier in a welcoming address, the GJA President stated that the Ghanaian media no longer have a legitimate excuse to perpetrate mediocrity or make infractions an occupation hazard for the practice of democracy in the country.
“It is time to prove wrong those Ghanaians expressing regrets for the endorsement of freedom and independence of the media and freedom of speech and expression.”
He admitted that even though there could be no dispute about the critical role that the Ghanaian media had played and continued to play in building democracy and promoting development, the altercations from some media personnel was undermining their indispensability in nation building.
Mr Tetteh who paid tributes to journalists both past and present who had worked hard to project investigative journalism and urged journalists to abide by Artcicle 12 of the GJA Code of Ethics which enjoins journalists to, “obtain information, photography and illustrations only by straight forward means. The use of any means can be justified only by overriding considerations of public interest.”
On the broadcast media, he said the GJA had observed that the broadcast media, particularly, radio as the most vibrant, interactive and influential but indicated that most of the controversies confronting the media had emanated from radio.
“We urge the authorities as a matter of urgency and in consonance with best practices pass a broadcast law that sets standards and helps in regulating the broadcast industry. “Apart from the qualitative change, we hope such a law will infuse decency in the coverage of the 2012 election,” Mr Tetteh said
The Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, who was the guest speaker, expressed worry that the media had become a tool for spewing insults and rumours characterised by half truths, lies and fabrication that had the tendency to create confusion and divide Ghanaians.
He said the media had become a platform for people to pass uncomplimentary remarks on their perceived opponents, which sent wrong signals to the youth.
Nana NKetsia, therefore, urged journalists to exercise a lot of responsibility in their reportage and discussions in order to keep the peace and unity in the country and contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development.
The Western regional correspondent of JOY FM, Mr Kweku Owusu Preprah, was crowned the Journalist of the Year for 2010 at an awards ceremony organised by the Ghana Journalists Association in Accra last Friday.
Mr Owusu Preprah also grabbed two other awards in rural reporting and best feature for radio at the 16th edition of GJA Awards which had the Graphic Communications Group Limited scooping eight out of the 34 awards available for grabs.
While the Journalist of the Year took home a Unilever prize package worth GH¢37, 500, which includes a study trip to the USA to intern at a renowned media house and visits to some historic sites, other winners received a laptop, a plaque and a certificate each.
Mr Owusu Preprah is a product of Prempeh College in Kumasi and Ghana Institute o f Journalism (GIJ). While pursuing his studies at GIJ, he was stringing for The Chronicle in Accra and Spirit FM in Kumasi.
After completing his studies in 2004, he joined the Ashh FM in Kumasi between 2005 and 2007 where he rose through the ranks to become the Deputy News Editor.
He later joined the Radio Maxx in Takoradi where he doubled as the News Editor and a regional correspondent for JOY FM. Later he quit Radio Maxx to join KYZZ FM in Takoradi as a News Editor and doubled as JOY FM substantive regional correspondent.
A freelance journalist with GTV, Mr Manaseh Awuni Azure, who was also the toast of the night emerged the Promising Journalist of the Year in addition to wining prizes in Human Rights and TVÂ News Reporting.
Mr Azure smiled home with an all expense paid trip to South Africa where he will visit to any media house of his choice.
The recipients of awards from the GCGL are as follows: Lucy Adoma Yeboah/Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho for a joint award for (HIV and AIDS); Kofi Yeboah, (Agriculture); Charles Benoni Okine, (Social Security); Naa Lamiley Bentil, (Environment); William Asiedu (The Mirror), (Print News Reporting) and Vicky Wereko-Andoh, (Columnist).
Another award won by journalists of the GCGL was labelled as Team Graphic because the article was written by five journalists. They are Kofi Yeboah, Emmanuel Bonney, Victor Kwawukume, Vincent Amenueveve and Nana Konadu Agyeman.
Other award winners from the various media houses include: last year Journalist of the Year, Samuel Agyeman (Disability), and Eric Adjei Ansah (TV Feature) of Metro TV; Edward Nyarko, (Arts/Entertainment and Domestic Tourism and the Kwadwo Baah Wiredu Award for Business/Finance and Economic Reporting) Dominic Hlodze (Radio News Reporting) of GBC, Hannah Asomaning (Sanitation and Hygiene), Caesar Abagali (Child Rights) and Kafui Kanyi (Small and Micro Scale Enterprises)Â of the Ghana News Agency; Sammy Darko (Political Reporting), JOY FM ; Sylvanus Kumi (Oil and Gas), Business Guide, and Charles Takyi Boadu (Investigative Reporting), Daily Guide.
The rest are Edmund Smith-Asante ( Water), Ghana Business News; Fati Shaibu Ali (Education), Etv; Richard Skyy (Health), CitiFM; Odelia Ofori (Development Journalism for furthering MDGs), TV3; Asamoah Tuffour (Crime and Court Reporting), Ghanaian Times; Kofi Enchill (Anti Narcotics), Heritage; Sammy Dowuona (Telecommunications), Adom FM; Bashiru Adam (Print Feature), Public Agenda, while Business and Financial Times, Radio Peace and Obonu FM received institutional awards.
Some distinguished Ghanaians and institutions who have contributed to the growth of journalism in Ghana were also honoured. They include Prof Kwame Karikari, Ambassador KB Asante, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Prof Joshua Alabi and Atlantis Radio.
With the Pacesetters Band of the GBC dishing out tune after tune not even the Vice-President, Mr John D. Mahama, could resist the temptation of dancing the night away.
He said the recent WikiLeaks cables had accentuated the media warfare and put the discussion of pressing national issues to the background, saying that, “nothing in this country matters anymore”.
 |
| Mr Ransford Tetteh, the GJA President (second left) leading the Vice President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama (1st right) and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast who was the chairperson for the occasion to the high table. |
Mr Mahama was speaking at the 16th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra Friday. It was held on the theme: “Giving Impetus to Democracy and Development in Africa: The Role of the Investigative Journalist”.
Mr Mahama said the US Embassy cables were meant to be confidential, and indicated that if it had remained so, there would have been no problem.
Unfortunately, he said, one Julian Assange and his WeakiLeaks organisation had opened the big pandora box not only about Ghana but the rest of the globe.
“It has its positive sides, because the work of the diplomats in accessing information would be difficult because many would be more careful in accepting their cocktail invitation, but even if they do, they would not be in a hurry to open their mouths as was previously the case,” he said.
The Vice-President said a cursory look at the country’s media landscape showed us as a country at war and stressed that “radio stations and newspapers are lined up in the political trenches with their political allies and pay masters throwing printed and verbal grenades and taking hot shots at enemy lines”.
Another development, he said, was the fabrication of malicious rumour and often libellous reports, idle gossips and absolute downright lies and concoctions in the media, especially on the Internet.
For instance, Mr Mahama said, he was reported to have beaten or fought with the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Bagbin, who happened to be his friend and colleague in Parliament.
He was also reported to have pulled a gun on former President Rawlings in his office although he did not have a gun and did not know how to use one.
He said one was often advised to ignore such rumours because they were part of the occupational hazards, but expressed worry that “we are in a nation where the mantra is there is no smoke without fire or book no lie”.
“The politics of insults and personality vilification appear to be overcoming us. Comments from individuals in the public, including those of serial callers who are sympathisers of political parties do not augur well for our democratic maturity,” the Vice-President said.
He said all insults and personality vilification were accentuated by the high stakes in the nation’s politics, and indicated that the “all die be die” syndrome and the lack of tolerance in the political discourse sadly reflected in the media and posed a major threat to the country’s democratic consolidation.
The Vice-President noted that in the pre-independence era, the private media was considered a partner in the fight for liberation from colonial rule, while in the post- independence period, the role of the media was to help promote the unity and integration of the newly independent African nations.
He said now in the 21st Century, the media was supposed to set the agenda for national development and cohesion by assuming their role as educators, historians, social motivators and entertainers.
He, therefore, urged journalists to focus on investigative journalism which involved probing issues of public interest in order to produce outcomes to influence public policies for the common good.
He congratulated the award winners and expressed the hope that it would spur them and other journalists on to do more to promote peace and development in the country.
The Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologu, said the media had done their best in contributing to the democratic growth and development of the country, but indicated that there were some lapses which had the potential to divide the country.
He urged the media to put in extra effort and responsibility in the coverage of the 2012 elections to maintain peace and keep Ghana image as a beacon of democracy intact.
The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, said the expanded media landscape of over 200 authorised FM radio stations, 12 television stations and several newspapers and the unrestricted access to the social media was a reflection and fulfillment of Ghana unique 1992 Constitution that granted the media and every Ghanaian the right to free speech.
He said there was a call that nobody should be allowed to practice journalism in the country unless the person had a degree in journalism, and said such a move would be a violation and infringement of the right to free press and free speech as provided for in the 1992 Constitution and indeed throw many fine media practitioners out of business.
Earlier in a welcoming address, the GJA President stated that the Ghanaian media no longer have a legitimate excuse to perpetrate mediocrity or make infractions an occupation hazard for the practice of democracy in the country.
“It is time to prove wrong those Ghanaians expressing regrets for the endorsement of freedom and independence of the media and freedom of speech and expression.”
He admitted that even though there could be no dispute about the critical role that the Ghanaian media had played and continued to play in building democracy and promoting development, the altercations from some media personnel was undermining their indispensability in nation building.
Mr Tetteh who paid tributes to journalists both past and present who had worked hard to project investigative journalism and urged journalists to abide by Artcicle 12 of the GJA Code of Ethics which enjoins journalists to, “obtain information, photography and illustrations only by straight forward means. The use of any means can be justified only by overriding considerations of public interest.”
On the broadcast media, he said the GJA had observed that the broadcast media, particularly, radio as the most vibrant, interactive and influential but indicated that most of the controversies confronting the media had emanated from radio.
“We urge the authorities as a matter of urgency and in consonance with best practices pass a broadcast law that sets standards and helps in regulating the broadcast industry. “Apart from the qualitative change, we hope such a law will infuse decency in the coverage of the 2012 election,” Mr Tetteh said
The Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, who was the guest speaker, expressed worry that the media had become a tool for spewing insults and rumours characterised by half truths, lies and fabrication that had the tendency to create confusion and divide Ghanaians.
He said the media had become a platform for people to pass uncomplimentary remarks on their perceived opponents, which sent wrong signals to the youth.
Nana NKetsia, therefore, urged journalists to exercise a lot of responsibility in their reportage and discussions in order to keep the peace and unity in the country and contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development.
The Western regional correspondent of JOY FM, Mr Kweku Owusu Preprah, was crowned the Journalist of the Year for 2010 at an awards ceremony organised by the Ghana Journalists Association in Accra last Friday.
Mr Owusu Preprah also grabbed two other awards in rural reporting and best feature for radio at the 16th edition of GJA Awards which had the Graphic Communications Group Limited scooping eight out of the 34 awards available for grabs.
While the Journalist of the Year took home a Unilever prize package worth GH¢37, 500, which includes a study trip to the USA to intern at a renowned media house and visits to some historic sites, other winners received a laptop, a plaque and a certificate each.
Mr Owusu Preprah is a product of Prempeh College in Kumasi and Ghana Institute o f Journalism (GIJ). While pursuing his studies at GIJ, he was stringing for The Chronicle in Accra and Spirit FM in Kumasi.
After completing his studies in 2004, he joined the Ashh FM in Kumasi between 2005 and 2007 where he rose through the ranks to become the Deputy News Editor.
He later joined the Radio Maxx in Takoradi where he doubled as the News Editor and a regional correspondent for JOY FM. Later he quit Radio Maxx to join KYZZ FM in Takoradi as a News Editor and doubled as JOY FM substantive regional correspondent.
A freelance journalist with GTV, Mr Manaseh Awuni Azure, who was also the toast of the night emerged the Promising Journalist of the Year in addition to wining prizes in Human Rights and TVÂ News Reporting.
Mr Azure smiled home with an all expense paid trip to South Africa where he will visit to any media house of his choice.
The recipients of awards from the GCGL are as follows: Lucy Adoma Yeboah/Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho for a joint award for (HIV and AIDS); Kofi Yeboah, (Agriculture); Charles Benoni Okine, (Social Security); Naa Lamiley Bentil, (Environment); William Asiedu (The Mirror), (Print News Reporting) and Vicky Wereko-Andoh, (Columnist).
Another award won by journalists of the GCGL was labelled as Team Graphic because the article was written by five journalists. They are Kofi Yeboah, Emmanuel Bonney, Victor Kwawukume, Vincent Amenueveve and Nana Konadu Agyeman.
Other award winners from the various media houses include: last year Journalist of the Year, Samuel Agyeman (Disability), and Eric Adjei Ansah (TV Feature) of Metro TV; Edward Nyarko, (Arts/Entertainment and Domestic Tourism and the Kwadwo Baah Wiredu Award for Business/Finance and Economic Reporting) Dominic Hlodze (Radio News Reporting) of GBC, Hannah Asomaning (Sanitation and Hygiene), Caesar Abagali (Child Rights) and Kafui Kanyi (Small and Micro Scale Enterprises)Â of the Ghana News Agency; Sammy Darko (Political Reporting), JOY FM ; Sylvanus Kumi (Oil and Gas), Business Guide, and Charles Takyi Boadu (Investigative Reporting), Daily Guide.
The rest are Edmund Smith-Asante ( Water), Ghana Business News; Fati Shaibu Ali (Education), Etv; Richard Skyy (Health), CitiFM; Odelia Ofori (Development Journalism for furthering MDGs), TV3; Asamoah Tuffour (Crime and Court Reporting), Ghanaian Times; Kofi Enchill (Anti Narcotics), Heritage; Sammy Dowuona (Telecommunications), Adom FM; Bashiru Adam (Print Feature), Public Agenda, while Business and Financial Times, Radio Peace and Obonu FM received institutional awards.
Some distinguished Ghanaians and institutions who have contributed to the growth of journalism in Ghana were also honoured. They include Prof Kwame Karikari, Ambassador KB Asante, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Prof Joshua Alabi and Atlantis Radio.
With the Pacesetters Band of the GBC dishing out tune after tune not even the Vice-President, Mr John D. Mahama, could resist the temptation of dancing the night away.
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