Prioritise truth, accuracy over speed, followers – GJA President to journalists
Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has urged journalists to prioritise truth and accuracy over speed and popularity.
Ghana Journalists Association President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has advised journalists to prioritize truth and accuracy over speed and popularity in their work. At the GJA's 77th anniversary symposium in Accra, Dwumfour emphasized the need for journalists to verify information thoroughly before publication, especially in the face of increasing misinformation, disinformation, fabricated content, and rapid technological advancements.
Speaking at the symposium, Dwumfour stated that journalists should not gauge their success solely by the number of people who view their stories or the size of their follower base, but by the trustworthiness of their reporting. He noted that press freedom is central to the GJA's mission but must be exercised responsibly, with media credibility hinging on accuracy, fairness, independence, accountability, and respect for individuals' dignity and rights.
Dwumfour highlighted that while artificial intelligence and digital technologies have transformed news gathering, production, and distribution, they also pose risks such as misinformation, deepfakes, and synthetic audio and images. He urged journalists to harness the benefits of AI in research, transcription, translation, data analysis, and monitoring, while maintaining human judgment and ethical standards.
Dwumfour emphasized the enduring importance of curiosity, judgment, courage, and conscience in journalism, stating that technology can assist but cannot replace these essential qualities. He also called for improved welfare and sustainability in the media industry, urging media owners and managers to invest in professional development and create an environment that attracts and retains talented young journalists.
Dwumfour reflected on the GJA's contributions to journalism and Ghana's democratic development, outlining future priorities for the profession. He announced that applications for the 30th GJA Media Awards would open soon, with submissions to be made through the association's new website as part of its digital transformation efforts.
Dwumfour appealed to Corporate Ghana and other partners to support the GJA Awards, which celebrate three decades of journalistic excellence.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
