By Desmond Opoku Nyarko, GNA
Accra, Oct.08, GNA – Panellists, discussing
the role of the media in Africa’s development, have asked practitioners to
project the adoption of the positive attitudes and actions that will engender
the desired socio-economic transformation.
They said the immense power of the media must
be used responsibly to drive the requisite change among those in both
leadership positions and the citizenry.
The panellists, Bernard Avle of Citi FM/TV,
Selikem Acolatse – Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC), Ridwan Osman – GhOne
and Alfred Ocansey – TV3; were speaking at the Third Edition of the educative programme,
Rethinking Africa.
Campus Live, a student-group at the Ghana
Institute of journalism (GIJ) organised the event to highlight the role of the
media and journalists in national Development.
It was also to serve as platform to share
experiences, enlighten and mentor budding communicators on their roles as
professionals, especially on how to report on situations to impact the society
positively.
For his part, Mr Avle said the media was a
shaping tool and a potent medium, which should be used appropriately to change
lives.
“The media is a gatekeeper for the society; it
is a watchdog and a tracker of events,” he said. “It also provides the platform for
journalists to bring out the truth about their society because the people have
the right to be informed.”
Mr Avle said practitioners could not solely on
their talents to deliver and urged them seek knowledge and be disciplined so as
to promote professionalism and ethical behaviour.
Ms Acolatse admonished young journalists to
focus more on stories and articles, which would make society better for all of
its citizens.
“We are agents of change so we should be
mindful of what write or report, especially because we wield the power to speak
on behalf of the people,” she said.
Mr Osman also emphasised the role of
publishing information that would enlighten people to make sound decisions for
their liberation and wellbeing.
He, therefore, urged practitioners to
undertake field trips to receive firsthand information in order to appreciate
the plight and the perspectives of the vulnerable for redress.
Mr Ocansey cautioned against unethical
practices and unscrupulous behaviour and urged practitioners to always abide by
the ethics of the profession and that of the society, saying breaches had dire
consequences on their credibility and impact on society.
GNA