A legal practitioner and General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo has cautioned Ghanaian journalists who hide behind words to defame and destroy people in the name of free speech to desist from the acts since the use of such words do not exempt them from been hauled before the law courts.
Harrison Addo himself a journalist and member of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana gave the advice at the association’s conference at Alisa Hotel on Friday, February 7, 2020.
The conference brought together sports journalists all over Ghana to share knowledge and empower one another towards building a vibrant and responsible sports journalism in Ghana.
Responding to a question as to when is appropriate to use “alleged” in broadcasts, the former Disciplinary Committee Chairman of the FA says ” don’t be tempted to use alleged and think you are free. You are not. You can be taken on at anytime by those who felt hurt. Alleged before defaming people won’t save you.
He also enocouraged journalists to protect Ghana football as they will do to any product so that the presence of football activities and its related businesses and job opportunities will continue to impact lives.
Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, Maurice Quansah called on young and budding journalists to humble themselves in order to learn at feet of their seniors
Ace Sports Journallist, Michael Oti Adjei emphasized on the need for sports journalists to see the use of multimedia tools as fundamental requirements to keep one’s job.
Other speakers included Gary Al- Smith, Elloeny Amande, Godfred Akoto Boafo, Akosua Addai Amoo and Nathaniel Attoh
The conference, the second after the Kumasi event two days earlier was sponsored by betting giants, Betway
(Pictures: 442gh)
By: Rustum Senorgbe (senorgbe@gmail.com)