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Prof Ansu-Kyeremeh calls for
abolishing of Information Ministry
Accra, Sept 28, GNA - Professor Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh, a
communication expert has called for the abolishing of the
Ministry of Information, saying resources allotted to it
should rather be reinvested into the Ministry of
Communications to vigorously address issues of the
Information society.
In professorial inaugural lecture at the University of
Ghana, Legon, Prof Ansu-Kyeremeh highlighted excellence,
objectivity, and the need for factual and balanced
journalism with freedom and quality professionalism as
tenets that must be promoted.
The lecture, titled "Ka Nea Woahu" (Publish Only the
Verified): An African Communication Paradigm, was laced with
humour, indigenous Akan lyrics and proverbs, and exposed the
framework of communication in Africa, specifically in the
area of news reporting.
Prof Ansu-Kyeremeh explored different paradigms of
journalism that sought freedom, balanced with factual and
truthful reporting, pointing out that the watchdog role of
journalism was not just constitutional, but fundamental to
public discipline, a major criterion for good governance,
development and progress.
Watchdog journalism, he said, would also avoid the abuse of
privilege by an incumbent President who is seeking
re-election.
The lecture touched on media pluralism, training, current
practices of 'newspaper reviews programmes', news polls,
regulatory regimes and "citizen journalism".
It called for an aggressive strategy and programme for an
African technological leap in communication practice.
"There needs to be an aggressive strategy and programme for
an African technological leap that would enable both
software and hardware production deepening, as well as
content uploading and up-linking to achieve celestial
inclusiveness", Prof Ansu-Kyeremeh said.
He said self-regulation in media practice must be
intensified and strengthened in reporting and other related
practices.
Also, the Ghana Journalists Association must be courageous
enough to set standards, and find more effective sanctioning
of errant behaviour and unethical infractions.
"Self regulation must tackle the problem of "twakurodo", "okromouth",
"anukom", "di nsekuo", "ntwatoso", "aya", insults....they
are all freely used on air with reckless abandon" said Prof
Ansu-Kyeremeh, who is also an Apemanihene in Bosomtwe
Atwima-Kwanwoma District.
He called for more resources to be allocated to the National
Media Commission to enhance its monitoring role and also
give it a more national outlook.
GNA
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