The Acting President of the Western North Journalist Association (WNJA), Pollo Esposito, has urged journalists to uphold the highest standards of integrity and remain independent in their work, warning against political interference and sensationalism that continue to threaten the credibility of the media.
Speaking at the official launch of legendreport.com, a groundbreaking online platform founded by Emmanuel Sowah, Mr. Esposito commended Sowah for his vision and dedication to quality journalism.
Mr. Esposito charged journalists to embrace excellence, integrity, and impact in their reportage, noting that legendreport.com must embody these values in the name of ethics and God.
He expressed confidence that the new platform would grow to become a trusted source of news and information.
“As journalists, we must strive for excellence, integrity, and impact. Therefore, legendreport.com shall embody these values in the name of our ethics and in the name of God, and I have no doubt it will become a trusted source for news and information,” he added.
He cautioned against the growing trend of political polarization within the media, where many outlets align with political parties or are influenced by political interests, undermining objectivity and fostering public mistrust.
“Please and please again, Sowah, don’t let this political polarisation affect your reportage,” he appealed.
Mr. Esposito also warned against the increasing rush to break news, which often results in half-baked stories and a lack of fact-checking—practices that have been eroding public trust in journalism.
“Sensationalism and lack of fact-checking are destroying our profession. To all my colleagues, don’t let this be our portion,” he stressed.
Highlighting the many challenges faced by journalists in Ghana, he pointed to threats and violence, lack of press freedom, economic pressures, and judicial hurdles as key obstacles.
He recalled the tragic case of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, who was murdered in 2019 after exposing corruption in the Ghana Football Association, as a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face.
He also cited Ghana’s declining press freedom ranking, the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists, and the political influence over the judiciary as major concerns.
Economic hardships, low wages, and job insecurity, he said, further compromise journalistic integrity, while limited support mechanisms leave journalists vulnerable to trauma and attacks.
“These challenges highlight the need for stronger protections and support mechanisms to ensure journalists’ safety and promote press freedom in Ghana. I therefore plead with the leadership of this, our young region, Western North, to support us in any way they can, but not otherwise,” Mr. Esposito appealed.
Concluding his remarks, he congratulated Emmanuel Sowah and his team, expressing optimism for the success of legendreport.com.
“To Emmanuel Sowah and his team, I wish you continued success and growth. May legendreport.com thrive and make a lasting impact on our region’s media scene. Let’s celebrate the beginning of a milestone legendreport.com is yet to achieve,” he said.
