The Head of Department Journalism and Media Studies (DJMS), School of Communication Studies (SCS), University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Dr Gifty Appiah-Adjei, has called for greater collaboration between academia and industry in the area of training journalist.
She said the disconnect that exist between training and practice made it imperative for such collaboration, stressing that “It is important to underscore the critical role of professionalism in journalism practice in the country.”
Dr Appiah-Adjei made the call at a seminar, organised by the DJMS, SCS, UEW as part of this year’s celebration of the Communication Students Association (COMSA) week, at Winneba on Friday.
It was on the theme: “Professionalism in journalism – The role of the Ghana Journalists Association.”
The occasion was also used to launch the UEW Students Chapter of the GJA as well as the inauguration of a new executive body.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, affirmed the commitment of the association to promoting professionalism among practicing and trainee journalists.
“And as we make such effort, we also encourage our members to live above reproach and always maintain high professional standards,” he stated.
Mr Dwumfour indicated that journalism thrived on credibility; and called journalists and media practitioners to uphold ethics of their profession.
He said the association would strive to empower its members to be independent, free and bold to serve the interest of citizens at all times.
“It will also encourage professionalism at all times and push for zero tolerance for misinformation, fake news, misrepresentations, exaggerations, and stories that promote prejudices, misconceptions, hatred, violent conflicts and defamation,” Mr Dwumfour said.
He said that the GJA and Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, were on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate a scholarship scheme for members of the association.
The GJA, Mr Dwumfour said had reached a similar agreement with KNUTSFORD University College in Accra to offer scholarship to GJA members to undertake three-month certificate programme in media and communication studies at the institution.
Additionally, he stated the GJA was engaging UniMAC-GIJ regarding the provision of professional training programmes for members, adding that all these interventions were designed to promote professionalism in the media.
Mr Dwumfour appealed to management of UEW to collaborate with the GJA to fashion out similar support towards professional development for members of the association.
He indicated that the GJA Campus Chapter was designed to mobilise journalism and communication students in tertiary institutions, and inculcate in them the virtues aspired by the GJA.
Mr Dwumfour commended the Department of Journalism and Media for working tirelessly towards the establishment of the UEW student’s chapter of the GJA.
FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, WINNEBA
