Journalists must strengthen credibility in digital era- Kwasi Pratt urges

At the 77th Anniversary Symposium of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, Kwasi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of Insight Newspaper, called for journalists to uphold professional standards and strengthen public trust in the digital era. He emphasized the importance of providing accurate and credible information to help audiences distinguish truth from falsehood, as society is overwhelmed by information.

Pratt highlighted that building public trust involves courageous reportage, distinguishing evidence from allegations, investigating the powerful, and listening to those without access to power. He stressed that media trust is not created by slogans or by journalists claiming to be professionals, but rather by refusing to publish unverified allegations and not becoming an instrument of political convenience.

The symposium, themed "GJA@77: Building On Our Legacy, Advancing Ethical Journalism and Shaping the Future Of Digital Media," brought together media practitioners, corporate organizations, and diplomatic representatives. Pratt stressed that freedom of expression should be seen as a responsibility to pursue the truth, and technology should complement journalism without replacing professional judgment.

He acknowledged that AI can assist newsrooms by performing tasks that previously took a lot of time, but AI does not remove the journalist's fundamental responsibility for the consequences of publishing content. Technology must remain a tool and never become the ultimate editor.

Pratt urged the GJA to continue protecting journalists, advocating for better conditions of service, holding members accountable, and enhancing practitioners' capacity to use technology responsibly. He emphasized that the right to publish is meaningless if journalists can be intimidated, attacked, or brutalized for doing legitimate journalistic work. Pratt called for defending journalists while also defending the public from irresponsible journalism, stating that press freedom cannot mean freedom from accountability.

Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), stressed the importance of accuracy, context, fairness, accountability, and disciplined verification as social media posts increasingly compete with traditional media. He recommended that media houses establish clear policies on the responsible use of AI and incorporate digital security into professional journalistic practice. The NCA is committed to monitoring and regulating electronic communications infrastructure.

Professor Akua Opokua Britwum, Chairperson of the National Media Commission, argued that ethical journalism in the digital age requires a collective responsibility. She emphasized that ethical journalism extends beyond individual conduct to include the governance of digital platforms, with digital platforms and regulatory capacity playing crucial roles in ensuring adherence to ethical standards.