We will expel any Journalist who causes fear and panic on Covid-19 fight - GJA

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has indicated that it will expel any Journalist from the Association if that individual goes contrary to the Association's Code of Ethics by causing fear and panic to the citizenry in disseminating information on Covid-19.

According to the Association, reportage of some media houses on Coronavirus is creating fear and panic in the country, adding some media houses do not check their facts thereby come on air with whatever fact they hear on the ground which might not be the right information for them to put out there.

The Association in a statement released on March 15 made a passionate appeal to the media to report responsibly on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and avoid creating any unjustified fear and panic among the populace.

In an in a radio interview monitored by primenewsghana.com today, Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Linda Asante-Agyei said the Association will name and shame any media house who goes contrary to the directive 

''Recalcitrant media houses who go contrary to the GJA code of ethics by continuing to cause fear and panic disseminating information on Covid 19 to the public will be named and shamed and when it comes to the worst scenario, the Association will also expel anyone who goes contrary to the directive''.

Meanwhile, the Association has announced that it is collaborating with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to begin training of Journalists to provide accurate information to the public in contributing to efforts in fighting Covid-19 in the country.  

READ ALSO: Government, Media and Medics collaborate on COVID-19 Communications

Again, she stated that the three media organizations , Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and Private News Papers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) are coordinating with editors of media houses to provide names of Journalists to participate in the training session.

Madam Asante also said the training is planned to take off this Friday, March 20 2020.

The GJA Vice President also made it known that the training will be rolled out in batches not only in the Greater Accra Region, but the other 15 regions across the country.

The GJA further advised journalists to use reliable scientific sources in their reportage and avoid speculations, while calling on public authorities and medical institutions to provide timely and accurate information to journalists when they call on them.