The Reverend Fr Professor Peter Nkrumah Amponsah, the Dean of Graduate Studies of the Catholic University of Ghana (CUG), has expressed concern regarding what he perceives as excessive abuse of media rights and powers in the country.
In his view, such abuses hinder the growth and development of the nation. He emphasizes that journalists and media outlets could potentially lose their constitutional rights and powers if these abuses are not controlled.
Media power
During an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the University’s main campus on Monday in Fiapre, near Sunyani, Rev. Fr. Prof. Amponsah highlighted the importance of adhering to certain parameters when exercising media power. He states that while the media possesses the authority to publish, they must do so responsibly in order to avoid harming their audiences.
According to Rev. Fr. Prof. Amponsah, as a fundamental principle of journalism, the media should prioritize maximizing truthfulness while minimizing harm. He believes that the work of a good journalist should not cause personal or emotional trauma to the audience. He asserts that the media does not have an absolute right to publish and therefore must strive to filter information for the greater public good.
Cluttered with falsehoods?
Rev. Fr. Prof. Amponsah expresses regret that the media landscape in the country has become saturated with outright lies, falsehoods, and character assassination. He observes that many journalists and media outlets have deviated from their intended roles and responsibilities as agenda setters. He underscores that the media possesses significant power to advance societal and national development, and practitioners must exercise their constitutional rights in a responsible manner.
In his opinion, the media should remain factual in their reporting. Rev. Fr. Prof. Amponsah believes that journalists have a responsibility to use their skills to minimize potential dangers, threats, and harm to the public for the sake of social benefit.
Rev. Fr. Prof. Amponsah notes with concern that the media has gradually shifted away from its primary objective of informing, educating, and entertaining the masses. Instead, he observes that unchecked, unbalanced, and unsubstantiated reporting has been divisive, contributing to the fragmentation of the nation.
Deep concern
The Dean of Graduate Studies of the Catholic University of Ghana (CUG), The Reverend Father Peter Nkrumah Amponsah, expresses his deep concern about the excessive abuse of media rights and powers in the country. He believes that such abuses hinder the growth and development of the nation.
He further emphasizes the importance of responsible journalism, where the media maximizes truth telling and minimizes harm. He urges journalists and media outlets to exercise their constitutional rights with decorum, ensuring that their work serves the public good.
According to him, the media has a significant role to play in advancing societal and national development, and practitioners must uphold their responsibilities accordingly. By remaining factual and using their skills to minimize harm, journalists can contribute positively to the well-being of the people. Rev. Fr. Prof. Amponsah expresses regret that the media has deviated from its intended role and has become a source of division rather than unity.
He calls for a return to the fundamental principles of journalism and urges journalists to fulfill their mandate of informing, educating, and entertaining the masses in a responsible manner.