Mr. Kwesi Biney, a former District Chief Executive in the Kufuor Administration, has appealed to journalists and other media practitioners to protect and maintain their credibility to advance the cause of journalism in the country.
He condemned the practice by some journalists who solicit for money and favours from news makers before they publish their news items and said the practice was unprofessional.
Mr. Biney said this at a media encounter organised by the Western Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to mark World Press Freedom Day in Takoradi.
He appealed to journalists to let the dissemination of news be their priority instead of moving from one function to another with the aim of getting favours.
�We are not the poorest people in this country that we scramble for anything at public functions,� Mr Biney, a journalist, said.
Mr. Biney, a former Chief Executive Officer for Ahanta West District, urged media practitioners to cross-check their facts before publishing in order not to tarnish the reputation of individuals and organisations.
He said journalists to be humble enough to apologise and retract libelous stories but not to exhibit arrogance.
Mr. Moses Dotsey Aklorbutu, Chairman of the Western Regional branch of the GJA, told journalists to focus on news items that would help improve the lives of the people.
He said developmental needs such as roads, sanitation, potable water, utility services and others must be the priority of every journalist instead of concentrating on areas that promote the objectives of individuals.
The Day was observed on the theme �Press Freedom for a Better future�, Shaping the 2016 Development Agenda�.
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