Asiedu Nketiah urges journalists to report fairly at all times, and not based on politicians’ complaints

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, urged journalists to maintain impartiality and disregard politician complaints when determining the fairness of their reporting. Speaking at the 4th Bono Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Sunyani on Saturday, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah emphasized that journalists must thoroughly investigate claims before reporting, regardless of whether the outcome benefited or harmed a political party or government.

He stressed that politicians' opinions should not dictate journalistic integrity, stating, "Journalists should listen to all of us, but the complaint of a politician cannot become the measure of whether a story is fair." Mr. Asiedu Nketiah also warned journalists to avoid presenting unsubstantiated allegations as facts simply because they made appealing headlines.

He highlighted the importance of journalists' credibility as their most valuable professional asset, warning that losing public trust could prove difficult to regain. The NDC Chairman stressed the significance of professional journalism in today's changing information landscape, particularly with the rise of social media, political parties, governments, companies, and individuals publishing directly to large audiences.

He further warned about the potential for artificial intelligence to create convincing fake content that could be mistaken for genuine material. Mr. Asiedu Nketiah called on journalists in the Bono Region to monitor public investments and follow up on them beyond initial announcements, tracking aspects such as award recipients, execution parties, completion dates, and whether citizens received the promised benefits.

He encouraged the media to create an independent historical record of development projects, separate from the narratives presented by governments and political parties. Mr. Asiedu Nketiah acknowledged that governments would expect media scrutiny, urging ministers to respond to legitimate questions, examine public expenditure, and verify the delivery of government promises.

He also encouraged politicians to view difficult questions from journalists as opportunities to address concerns that might otherwise go unraised. The NDC Chairman expressed support for better working conditions for journalists and sustainable media institutions, emphasizing that journalists should build reputable careers without becoming financially dependent on the entities they cover.