THE GJA CODE OF ETHICS

Preamble

The Ghana Journalists Association Code of Ethics has been drawn up as a ready reference guide and is applicable to members in the state-owned media, the private media and the local freelance journalists.

The code provides a frame of reference to the National Executive, the Ethics and Disciplinary Council and members of the association when it becomes necessary to initiate disciplinary action against any members who flouts any article of the Code.

The council is meant to ensure that members adhere to the highest ethical standards, professional competence and good behavior in carrying out their duties.

As the fourth estates of the realm, the public expects the media to play their watchdog role. They should do this with high sense of responsibility without infringing on the rights of individuals and society in general.

ARTICLE 1: PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO TRUE INFORMATION

          I.            The duty of every journalist is to write and report the truth bearing in mind his or her duty to serve the public.

       II.            The public has the right to unbiased, accurate, balanced and comprehensive information as well as to express themselves freely through the media.

    III.            A journalists should make adequate inquires and cross check his or her facts

ARTICLE 2: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

In collecting and disseminating information, the journalist should bear in mind his/her responsibility to the public at large and the various interest in society.

ARTICLE 3: PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY

Journalists should not accept bribe or any form of inducement to influence the performance of their professional duties.

ARTICLE 4: PLAGIARISM

       I.            A  journalist should not plagiarize because it is unethical and illegal

    II.            Where there is the need to use other’s material, it is proper to credit the source.

ARTICLE 5: RESPECT FOR PRIVACY AND HUMAN DIGNITY

Journalists should respect the right of the individual to privacy and human dignity

          I.            Enquiries and instructions into a person’s private life can only be justified when done in the public interest.

       II.            A journalist should guard against defamation, libel, slander and obscenity

ARTICLE 6: RESPECT FOR NATIONAL AND ETHNIC VALUES

A journalist should not originate material which encourages discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation.

ARTICLE 7: CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES

Journalists are bound to protect confidential sources of information.

ARTICLE 8: SUPPRESSION OF NEWS

Under no circumstances should news or a publication be suppressed unless it borders on national security or is in the public interest to do so.

ARTICLE 9: CORRECTIONS

Whenever there is an inaccurate or misleading report, it should be corrected promptly and given due prominence. An apology should be published whenever appropriate.

ARTICLE 10: REJOINDERS

       I.            A fair opportunity for rejoinders should be given to individuals or organizations

    II.            Any report or white-up affecting the reputation of any individual or an organization without a chance to reply is unfair and must be avoided by journalists.

ARTICLE 11: SEPARATING COMMENTS FROM FACTS

While free to take positions on any issue, journalists should draw a clear line between comment, conjecture and fact.

ARTICLE 12:  INFORMATION AND PICTURES

        I.            A journalist shall obtain information, photography and illustrations only by straightforward means

     II.            The use of other means can only be justified only by overriding considerations of the public interest.

  III.            The journalist is entitled to exercise a personal conscientious objection to the use of such means

ARTICLE 13: RESPECTING EMBARGOES

Journalist should respect embargoes on stories

ARTICLE 14: VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Journalist should avoid identifying victims of sexual assault

ARTICLE 15: DEALING WITH UNDER-AGED

Journalists should protect the rights of minors and in criminal and other cases secure the consent of parents or guardians before interviewing or photographing them.

ARTICLE 16: PERSONAL GRIEF OR DISTRESS

In cases of personal grief, distress, journalists should exercise tact and diplomacy in seeking information and publishing.

ARTICLE 17: HEADLINES AND SENSATIONALISM

       I.            Newspaper headlines should be fully warranted by the contents of the articles they accompany

    II.            Photographs and telecasts should give an accurate picture of an event and not highlight an incident out of content.

Courtesy: GHANA JOURNALIST ASSOCIATION(GIJ-CHAPTER)