A professor of Communication Studies at the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof Audrey Gadzekpo, says the public can help the media in its role as the fourth estate of the realm by consistently encouraging it to set better standards.
She believes the media’s credibility will improve when stakeholders assist them to fact-check and verify news in this era of social media and digitalization.
Speaking as part of the panel on the Joy Change Speaker series today, May 11, Prof Gadzekpo urged the traditional media to position itself as authenticators of true news from fake ones.
“I like to think of our traditional media as a place where if I hear something on social media I will go and verify. So it is important that the traditional media keeps their quality control role.
“It is important that we remind journalists of their ethical standards and guidelines… GJA has guidelines, NMC has guidelines… so that the media can set a standard, act as better gate keepers, act as vehicles through which peace dialogue messages can be amplified and finally telling the truth,” she said.
The Chairperson of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) noted that if the credibility of the media is not established, external forces will work to ensure that some of the powers of the media are curbed, a situation she describes as dangerous.
“The EU for example and CODEO in their last report noted that there was still a lack of enforcement of media journalistic standards.
"Now we seem not to be able to have the kind of media regulation framework that will respect the freedom of the media and at the same time be able to encourage better standards, and if that continues we will see greater danger of outside forces supported by citizens saying this is too much, 'let us curb some of the media’s powers' and that is dangerous.
"And of course, they will curb it through the kind of legislatures that we don’t want to see,” she added.
Latest Stories
-
35th CIMG Awards: Full list of winners
17 mins -
The Multimedia Group wins big at CIMG Awards 2023
1 hour -
Bernard Mornah wins PNC flagbearship race
2 hours -
Video: Confusion at PNC National Executives election
2 hours -
Rapper E.L. joins King Promise as Guinness Accravaganza headliner for September 21 showdown
3 hours -
PNC Congress: Bernard Mornah leads in Greater Accra Region
4 hours -
Reject violence, divisive rhetoric, embrace peace ahead of elections – Bawumia appeals to Ghanaians
4 hours -
SEFF’s debut single ‘Father’ sets stage for bold new talent
5 hours -
Super typhoon Yagi kills four in Vietnam
5 hours -
Hollard Insurance-UENR Mentoring Day: Students urged to let hard work, integrity shine to advance career
5 hours -
2024/25 GPL: Vision FC opens campaign with draw against Berekum Chelsea
5 hours -
If Baba Yara pitch was good, Mumin clears the ball – Laryea Kingston
6 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex begin title defence with draw against Dreams FC
6 hours -
Financing road construction and maintenance through a special fuel levy: A sustainable solution for Ghana’s road infrastructure
7 hours -
Ghana Celebrity Impact Awards 2024 launched to honor positive social influence
7 hours