Asiedu Nketiah Warns Journalists Against Political Influence

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has urged journalists to uphold professional independence and resist political pressure that could compromise the accuracy and fairness of their reports.

He said journalists must give politicians across the political divide a fair hearing but should ultimately rely on verified information and evidence when reporting.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah made the call at the 4th Bono Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held in Sunyani.

He acknowledged that politicians often have different views about how the media reports their activities, noting that governments may feel their achievements are not receiving enough attention while opposition parties may believe they are not being scrutinised adequately.

However, he stressed that such complaints should not determine whether a journalist’s report is fair.

“The complaint of a politician cannot become the measure of whether a story is fair,” he said.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah urged journalists to distinguish between verified information and allegations, stressing the importance of accurately reporting completed projects and investigating projects that have failed.

He cautioned against presenting unverified claims as facts simply because they could attract public attention.

“If somebody makes an allegation and the evidence is not there, do not convert the allegation into a fact simply because it will make an interesting headline,” he said.

Media Credibility

The NDC National Chairman said the credibility of journalists and media organisations depends largely on public trust.

He warned that once public confidence in the media is lost, rebuilding that trust can be difficult.

He also highlighted the changing media landscape, particularly the growing influence of social media, which allows individuals, political parties, governments and businesses to communicate directly with large audiences.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the emergence of artificial intelligence has further complicated the information environment, with synthetic voices, images and other content capable of being presented as genuine.

He said professional journalism therefore remains crucial, as journalists have a responsibility to establish the facts and determine what actually happened.

Better Working Conditions

Mr Asiedu Nketiah also called for improved working conditions for journalists, arguing that media organisations must be adequately resourced to retain competent professionals, conduct investigations and maintain effective regional newsrooms.

He said journalists should be able to build sustainable careers without becoming financially dependent on politicians, businesses or institutions they cover.

He congratulated journalists honoured at the ceremony and urged them to protect the professional reputation they build throughout their careers.