The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has urged journalists to resist the pressure to be first to publish and instead make accuracy, verification and public trust the foundation of their work.
He said the rapid growth of digital media, artificial intelligence (AI) and social media had made it increasingly important for journalists to verify information thoroughly before putting it into the public domain.
Mr Dwumfour made the call at the GJA’s 77th anniversary symposium in Accra on Wednesday, held under the theme: “Building on our Legacy, Advancing Ethical Journalism and Shaping the Future of Digital Media.”
He cautioned journalists against measuring professional success solely by audience numbers, followers or the speed with which stories are published.
“Do not measure your success only by how many people see your story. Measure it by whether the story is true. Do not measure your influence only by the number of followers you have. Measure it by whether people can trust you,” he said.
According to him, the credibility of journalism depended on accuracy, fairness, independence, accountability and respect for the dignity and rights of individuals.
He noted that in an environment increasingly dominated by misinformation, disinformation and fabricated content, journalists must sometimes have the discipline to delay publication until facts had been properly established.
“Sometimes, courage in journalism is not being the first to publish, it is having the discipline to wait. Verify and publish only when you are certain of the fact,” Mr Dwumfour said.
AI presents opportunities and risks
Mr Dwumfour also highlighted the growing influence of AI and other digital technologies on news gathering, production and distribution.
He said AI could improve journalism through research, transcription, translation, data analysis and monitoring, but warned that the same technologies could also facilitate deepfakes, synthetic audio, fabricated images and other forms of misinformation.
“The GJA’s position is clear. Technology must serve journalism. It must not destroy the values that make journalism worthy of public trust,” he said.
He therefore urged journalists to strengthen their skills in digital journalism, fact-checking, verification, data journalism and the responsible use of AI.
While technology could support newsroom operations, he said, it could not replace the human qualities required for credible journalism.
“Journalism still requires curiosity, judgement, courage, and conscience,” he stressed.
Media welfare remains a concern
The GJA President also drew attention to the working conditions of journalists, arguing that professional journalism could not thrive without adequate welfare and job security.
He called on media owners and managers to invest in professional development and create conditions that would attract and retain young talent in the industry.
Mr Dwumfour said journalists operating under persistent insecurity could struggle to consistently produce quality work.
Reflecting on the GJA’s 77-year history, he said the Association remained committed to defending press freedom while promoting ethical journalism, journalist safety, innovation and professional development.
He announced that entries for the 30th GJA Media Awards would open the following week, with submissions to be made through the Association’s new website as part of its digital transformation.
He also appealed to Corporate Ghana and other partners to support the awards, which he said would celebrate three decades of journalistic excellence.
“At 77, therefore, our message is simple. The GJA is not retiring. We are renewing our commitment to press freedom, ethical journalism, journalist safety, innovation, and the development of Ghana,” he said.
UNESCO calls for protection of public trust
The UNESCO Representative to Ghana, Edmund Moukala, commended the GJA for its contribution to Ghana’s democratic development and urged journalists to protect public trust as the media landscape undergoes rapid technological change.
He said Ghanaian journalists had played an important role in shaping public consciousness, holding authorities accountable and supporting democratic development.
“A free and independent press is not a luxury afforded by democracy. It is the very necessity upon which nation-building is predicated,” he said.
Mr Moukala cautioned that the pressure to publish quickly could undermine the obligation to publish accurately and assured journalists of UNESCO’s continued support for responsible use of AI.
UK warns against manipulation
The Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, Chris Holliday, described the media as “national infrastructure”, arguing that journalists connect citizens through facts and ideas just as roads connect people physically.
He identified AI, misinformation and attempts to manipulate public understanding among the emerging challenges facing the media.
“The biggest risk may not be censorship, but manipulation,” Mr Holliday said.
He stressed that trust would become increasingly important in determining which media organisations could influence the information space.
According to him, media organisations that prioritise credibility and public confidence would be better positioned to remain relevant than those focused primarily on being the first to publish.
He reaffirmed the UK’s readiness to work with Ghana, government, civil society and diplomatic partners to strengthen media freedom and integrity.
