The Media Foundation for West Africa has read with utter dismay a story titled: Used and Dumped, Voltarian Dotse Swerved - which was published in the May 15-16 edition of The Informer newspaper.
The publication under reference did not just speculate but claimed, without providing any facts, that Supreme Court Judge, Justice Jones Dotse, was overlooked for the post of Chief Justice of Ghana because he is from the Volta Region.
The newspaper also alleged, again without any concrete evidence, that Justice Dotse had been manipulated to do the bidding of the New Patriotic Party as a Justice of the Supreme Court only for him to be disappointed when the party was expected to reward him with the post of Chief Justice.
“This kind of publication is not only unethical, ethnocentric and demeaning of a very senior person of the judiciary but also and more importantly, it is the kind of bad journalism that is very dangerous for press freedom,” said Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA.
The MFWA wonders what the editors of The Informer newspaper sought to achieve by the obviously unprofessional publication and the blatant attempt to divide Ghanaians along ethnic lines.
Only one Ghanaian from among the Justices of the Supreme Court or from outside the Court could have been named Chief Justice and he or she would certainly belong to one ethnic group and come from a particular region.
What is important is for the media to focus on the qualification, competence and merits of whoever is appointed to the high office. Indeed, if there are any issues that make an appointee unfit, unqualified and incapable of holding the office, the media have a responsibility to highlight those deficiencies in the exercise of their constitutionally mandated watchdog role.
The MFWA’s continuous advocacy for press freedom is anchored on the belief that the media have a crucial role in strengthening and consolidating transparent, accountable and participatory governance that results in inclusive development. But bad journalism, such as exhibited by The Informer newspaper in the publication under reference constitutes a major setback to efforts at consolidating press freedom.
The media should be focused in strengthening institutions and building cohesion rather than weakening institutions and sowing seeds of disunity through partisan, unprofessional, sensational publications.
The MFWA calls on the National Media Commission to assert its authority in enforcing ethical and professional standards in the media. Publications such as The Informer’s is a classic lesson in how not to do journalism and the editors of the newspaper need to be reminded and brought to order by the NMC.
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Fork Karikari and his forking Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
Charles way go and drink Korle lagoon if you have a problem. Do you expect me to give you position when I don't have a seat from your area and the constitution advises majority of the ministers should come from Parliament?This your tribal nons*nse has forced some Akans and Guans in the northern Volta to demand for their own region.Eastern region is Akan region with only the Krobos as the only non Akan tribe but they feel comfortable living there but if they were majority they would have intimidated the non Krobos because even with their minority number they don't want non Krobo or somebody who doesn't speak their language in their town. Your hate will keep you where you are forever which will let you demand from government for projects and development. Akans will continue to ride high in JESUS name.
What is lies about the story? Some Ghanaians are just hypocrites, fear or difficult to say the obvious truth. Just look at the appointments of this government. Hypocrites..
i wonder, which kind of people patronize that newspaper.all their stories are lies and halve baked.one sided and nothing truthful about them.
If you want power do proper journalism and stop dividing Ghanaians. You have always try to win sympathy votes on tribal lines but do not work for you. please stop this nkroase sem.
Our eyes are open and wide awake..They will not lie their way back to power again.. They will stay in opposition if they continuel this takashi way of Journalism..
That is why ndc will stay in opposition for long. All Akan regions must come together again and vote overwhelmingly again this time no seat for the ndc to drive it to them that we are in multitudes and can make and unmade a government. We can't sit down for just a small ethnic group to take us for granted. If informer hasn't heard of this from the ndc before then they can go to hell. Ndc used Prof. Atta Mills an Akan and killed him for sympathy votes for John mahama to be president to loot our nation. Ndc brought Chines galamseyers to Akan regions and parts of the northern region to destroy our lands and water bodies. Onyame betua moka and you will stay in opposition till thy kingdom come. I think the kriminal libel law must be looked into again for some idi*t unprofessional journalists like those in the informer to be prosecuted and jailed. People who bring division by preaching on tribal lines must not be entertained at all in our country. No wonder only fo*ls by such news papers,I will not use it to even wrap my dog's toilet.
Ffoolish MFWA.go to hhell and fffuck urselves. This is another despicable organisation full of malaria hypocrites.is it not true plus the numerous Ewes cleansing that we are witnessing every day.
But is that not the truth? Just asking.
this is what caused the NDC party their loss at the last election,they only trive on propaganda and ethnicity hoping this can get them the much needed votes, please grow up the battle for 2020 would be fought on a new turf watch it