Monday, April 16, 2012

West African Journalists Urged to be Professionals

Mr. Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng
 
Mr. Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, former editor of the London based West Africa Magazine has urged journalists in the sub-region to be professionals and avoid monetary influence.
He further implored for productive journalism, admitting that though there are challenges in accessing information, journalists should be creative enough to effectively execute their functions.
Assembled in Accra, Ghana, 15 west African journalists, including The Daily News’ Lamin Njie and Binta A. Bah, on Friday 30 march wrapped up a two-week intensive media seminar in conflict transformation and peace building, organised by the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) of GIZ of Germany.
Mr. Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, a resource person was speaking at the Ghana Press Center on Friday 19, on the perspective of the region’s media’s needs.
Also a member of the media commission in Ghana, he pointed out to what he calls the worrying situation of journalists selling their services to politicians.
\“This is a pervasive trend throughout the West African sub-region,” he said. He also noted that access to information as well as unimpressive remuneration for journalists continue to be fundamental challenges to the enhancement of the profession.
He also discussed about the arrest and detention of journalists by governments, accusing states and its agents of using an array of criminal laws options to intimidate journalists or stifle freedom of expression.
The two-week media seminar was held under the theme: “The Media’s Role in Conflict Transformation and Peace Building in West Africa.”
Several topics including Concepts and Nature of Conflicts, Conflict Transformation, Clarifying Terms, and Basic Concepts, among others are being presented and discussed.
Author: Binta A. Bah back from Accra, Ghana

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