Dr. Justice Yankson, a former Vice President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), has called on the media to take a strong, principled stance to protect the integrity and peace of Ghana, especially during politically tense periods.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 30, Dr. Yankson urged journalists to prioritise national interests over political affiliations.
He emphasised that the media holds a critical responsibility to prevent negative political narratives from derailing the country’s stability, drawing on lessons from other nations where the media’s actions have contributed to negative outcomes.
“When the stakes are high, the tensions are high, I think it will just be fair that the media personnel are able to filter the chaff from the real substance,” Dr. Yankson said.
He called on journalists to stop amplifying unsubstantiated and biased allegations that are designed to stir up emotions and cause disunity.
Dr. Yankson noted the emerging trend of “NPP media” and “NDC media” in the country’s journalistic landscape, a development he believes undermines media objectivity.
He warned that this political polarisation could lead to dire consequences that would affect all Ghanaians, regardless of their political leanings.
He concluded by urging the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to engage its members and encourage them to adopt a hardline stance against content that threatens social cohesion.
The former GMA vice president stressed that journalists have a national duty to ensure the information they broadcast is factual, credible, and contributes positively to the nation’s well-being.