Media must build, safeguard democracy — Dafeamekpor

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Etsey Dafeamekpor, has acknowledged the sensitive role of the media in building and safeguarding the country’s democracy.

He said media practitioners served as the bridge between the government, political parties and the people.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Dafeamekpor, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, therefore, urged journalists to uphold ethical standards and professionalism in their reportage and editorials.

He bemoaned the level of partisanship and lack of fairness in the Ghanaian media, stating that the situation was serious in the private media but was currently worrying in the state media.

Mr Dafeamekpor, stressed the need for media practitioners to be circumspect in their reportage.

He said the publications of some media houses clearly showed serious biases and political inclination, which he said, should be avoided to hold the country together. 

Political biases

He said journalists needed to avoid political biases to create confidence in the hearts of readers or listeners and the general public.

He said it was no secret that some journalists were publicly known to belong to political parties, but said that should not reflect in their writing because it would not help in building a strong democracy and the growth of our society.

Mr Dafeamekpor noted that although it was not wrong for any individual journalist to belong to a political party, it should not reflect in their reportage but uphold ethical standards and professionalism. 

State media

The Majority Chief Whip reminded the state media of their fundamental responsibility of educating the populace on government policies among others and still maintain standards to avoid biases.

Mr Dafeamekpor cautioned editors of the state media to uphold integrity, fairness and balance towards all, including the government, though they were aware some of them were dabbling in politics.

Some of the editors, he said, also showed their biases towards the government, stating that their actions were not beyond criticism and could be challenged through the appropriate channels. 

Peer review

Mr Dafeamekpor, therefore, called on journalists to peer review their work to uphold ethical standards and balance reportage.

He said much as media practitioners needed to be critical, particularly with the elite class, they must also be mindful of fair and balanced reportage, not to divide society.