Prof Kwame Karikari said the publications have only served to damage the hard won reputations of people with no just cause.
Speaking at the 2011 edition of the Ghana Speaks Lecture series organized by the Institute of Democratic Governance themed: “The Ghanaian Media, National Peace and Cohesion” Prof Karikari regretted the absence of a clear, definite role by the media towards growth and development of the country.
The media advocate said the real test of the media’s performance in this new communication paradigm is its ability to impart knowledge.
“It is not enough for the media to expose corruption and abuse of human rights,” he said, adding, the media’s ability to promote and enhance mass public knowledge and enlightenment of the citizenry is crucial.
Taking the lecture participants on a historical tour of the media landscape in Ghana the democrat said Ghana since 1983 has been operating a new media and communication paradigm in which the role of the media to national development is not clearly defined.
He said under a democratic dispensation the media can only function properly and measure its performance by insisting that governments meet the tenets of the directive principles of state policies which are clearly enshrined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana.
Prof Karikari said the media must be able to decipher the trumpeted claims by politicians and demand detailed explanation from them as well on pertinent issues that affect the citizenry.
That he said could lead to the increasing marginalisation of deprived communities in the country.
Prof Karikari also stated that covering elections and chieftaincy matters still remained the harbinger for conflicts in the country.
Making reference to the 2008 elections, he noted, elections still posed one great danger to the security of the country.
He added the media reportage on chieftaincy matters, especially on the botched succession plans makes chieftaincy matters an even more delicate issue which should not be glossed over.
In spite of the challenges Prof Karkari lauded the performance of the media especially in shunning ethnic sentiments.
He advocated for more cultural content which would reflect the core values and principles of the Ghanaian tradition.
Prof Karikari lauded government’s introduction of the media fund and welcomed suggestions by the opposition groups that the fund be managed by the Ghana Journalists Association and National Media Commission.
He however objected to the plans by government to use part of the media fund for training programmes for journalists.
He suggested that government must consider enacting a law that would yank-off a percentage of dividends from state media, especially Graphic Communications Group Ltd to keep the media fund running.
Prof Karikari charged the NCA and NMC to establish a verifiable system of monitoring of stations and other press houses to ensure standards are kept at all times.
The chairman of the occasion and who is the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese Most Rev Charles Palmer Buckle said the media must take responsibility for every content they put out as the country prepares for election 2012.
The lecture saw former minister under the Nkrumah regime and diplomat KB Asante and Nigerian High Commissioner attending.