Jones Anlimah writes:
The tragic events surrounding the shooting incident at AngloGold Ashanti, which resulted in the loss of about 7 lives, have brought into sharp focus the responsibilities of Ghana’s media. The reported incitement by Captain Smart, a presenter on Onua TV, raises critical questions about media ethics, accountability, and the role of Media General, Onua TV’s parent company.
As a media conglomerate that has shaped public discourse for years, Media General now faces a moral test. Can it, through its flagship channel TV3 or any other platform, credibly discuss this incident while ignoring its own involvement in the chain of events?
Media as a Double-Edged Sword
The power of the media to shape societies is undeniable. However, history reminds us of the catastrophic consequences of irresponsible media conduct. In 1994, the Rwandan Genocide was fueled partly by Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), a station that broadcast hate speech and incitements to violence, leading to one of the 20th century’s most horrifying tragedies.
While Ghana enjoys a robust democratic framework and a relatively free press, the potential for media irresponsibility to destabilize the peace cannot be underestimated. The AngloGold Ashanti incident demonstrates how media platforms can inadvertently or deliberately fan flames of conflict when ethical boundaries are ignored.
The GJA Code of Ethics and Media Responsibilities
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Code of Ethics is explicit about the responsibilities of media practitioners. Clause 1 of the Code emphasizes on journalists to uphold the truth and ensure accuracy and fairness in all reports. Clause 10 further warns against publications or broadcasts that promote hate speech, discrimination, or incitement to violence. In this instance, Onua TV’s platform appears to have failed in these basic tenets of professional journalism.
Equally important is the mandate of the National Media Commission (NMC), which is tasked with ensuring high journalistic standards and protecting media freedom in Ghana. According to its constitutional mandate, the NMC is empowered to regulate content and address violations of ethical principles. The AngloGold Ashanti tragedy underscores the urgent need for the NMC to exercise its regulatory authority more effectively to prevent such incidents.
The Responsibility of Media General
The leadership of Media General must confront its share of responsibility in this unfortunate incident. Providing a platform for inflammatory rhetoric undermines public trust and destabilizes the social order. Should/Can Media General attempt to cover or discuss this tragedy on TV3 or its other platforms without addressing its role, it risks hypocrisy and further eroding its credibility.
To reclaim moral authority, Media General must publicly acknowledge its failings, institute internal reforms, and demonstrate a commitment to ethical journalism. An effective response should include disciplinary action against those directly responsible, as well as a transparent review of editorial guidelines to ensure content aligns with the GJA Code of Ethics.
The Way Forward: Restoring Sanity to Ghana’s Media Landscape
The AngloGold Ashanti tragedy should be a wake-up call for Ghana’s media and regulatory institutions. A comprehensive response is needed to restore sanity in the media landscape:
- Strengthening Media Ethics Education : Media organizations must prioritize ethical training for their staff, rooted in the GJA Code of Ethics, to emphasize the consequences of irresponsible reporting.
- Active Oversight by the NMC : The NMC must take a more proactive stance in monitoring media content and enforcing standards. Swift punitive measures for breaches of ethics are essential to deter future violations.
- Encouraging Public Accountability : Media platforms must engage in self-regulation and allow for public scrutiny. Acknowledging mistakes, as Media General should in this instance, is an important step toward rebuilding trust.
- Legislative Backing for Media Regulation : Parliament may have to consider enhancing the legal framework for the NMC to ensure it has the capacity to respond to the rapidly evolving media landscape.
The loss of about 7 lives in the AngloGold Ashanti incident is a tragedy that must never be repeated. Media practitioners must remember that their platforms wield great influence and that the public trust they enjoy is a privilege, not a right. By adhering to ethical principles and regulatory oversight, Ghana’s media can remain a pillar of democracy, rather than a threat to its stability.
Media General’s response to this incident will be a litmus test for its commitment to ethical journalism in shaping public discourse. Ghana deserves nothing less than media that informs and uplifts, rather than divides and incites.
