Journalists must strengthen credibility in digital era – Kwesi Pratt urges

Managing Editor Kwesi Pratt Jnr of Insight Newspaper has called on media professionals to uphold professional standards and rebuild public trust in the digital age. In an era dominated by technology and artificial intelligence, journalism must focus on delivering accurate and credible information, helping audiences differentiate truth from falsehood.

Speaking at the 77th Anniversary Symposium of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, Pratt emphasized the importance of courageous reporting, separating evidence from allegations, and investigating powerful figures. He stressed that trust in the media is not generated by slogans or implying journalists are professionals, but rather when journalists choose not to publish unverified allegations instead of capitalizing on attention-grabbing stories.

Pratt highlighted that while AI can assist journalists by making their work more efficient, it does not eliminate the journalist's responsibility to ensure the consequences of their reporting are morally sound. Technology should remain a tool for journalists, not replacing their professional judgment. Pratt urged the GJA to protect journalists, improve working conditions, hold members accountable, and equip practitioners with the skills to responsibly use technology.

He added that the right to publish is meaningless if journalists are intimidated, attacked, or brutalized for doing their job. Director-General of the National Communications Authority, Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, stressed the importance of accuracy, context, fairness, accountability, and disciplined verification in the age of social media, where posts often compete with traditional media.

Fianko urged media organizations to develop clear policies on responsible AI use and emphasized the need for digital security in professional journalistic practices. He maintained that newsrooms hold sensitive information, and a compromised newsroom can jeopardize not only the institution but also the trust of its readers. National Media Commission Chairperson, Professor Akua Opokua Britwum, argued that ethical journalism in the digital era requires collective responsibility, emphasizing that platforms and regulatory bodies must ensure adherence to ethical standards.